How to set learning objectives that support successful learning design

“I’ll send you our objectives and then it would be great if you could put a proposal together for us…”

This is often how an interaction between a client and a learning designer begins. From that point onwards, the potential success of our partnership depends upon our ability not only to understand what the client wants but also to develop and refine learning objectives that will lead us to successful and useful learning outcomes. Is there a difference? For me, yes.