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Originally published December 12, 2022. Updated July 31, 2024
I would like to become the world’s richest project manager by 2030.
I will listen to episode three of my project management training program this week.
The difference between these two statements is the difference between project goals and objectives. The first is a goal, and the second is an objective.
WHAT ARE PROJECT MANAGEMENT GOALS?
A marketing goal is the desired end result of a project. The project goal is documented to clearly state what you plan to accomplish with the project. Since the goal of a project is broad, it is often difficult to measure precisely. Setting marketing goals is integral to the success of a project, as it gives the project team a broader and clearer picture of what they are working towards. A project without a goal is like a ship without a captain. It may sound dramatic, but it’s true!
Photo : Anton Zelenov
WHAT ARE THE THREE MAIN TYPES OF GOALS?
- Outcome-oriented goals: When a goal focuses on results above all else, it is outcome-oriented. This type of goal is good for achieving important, far-reaching business goals. Since the outcome is more important than the deadline, the timeline for outcome-oriented goals can be adjusted if needed.
- Process-oriented goals: This type of goal is used to improve internal processes. For example, if a team is working on streamlining project tasks, their goal is process-oriented. Rather than focusing on the outcome, the focus is on achieving that outcome in the best possible way.
- Time-bound goals: Time-bound goals focus on completing tasks within a specific time frame. This type of goal is used when time is of the essence and is good for motivating teams to get things done as fast as necessary.
So that’s a broad project goals definition. Now, let’s discuss:
WHAT IS A PROJECT OBJECTIVE?
A project objective is a short-term, specific, and tangible desired outcome within a project. Many project objectives make up the project goal. Marketing objectives and goals should always be SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound.
3 MAIN TYPES OF OBJECTIVES
- Financial objectives: Every project has a financial objective. The obvious one is to stay within the project budget. In addition, when working for a client, you’ll generally be looking to increase their bottom line, e.g., by creating an attractive website to increase their web traffic.
- Strategic objectives: When an objective aims to contribute to larger business goals, it can be called a strategic objective. For example, if a landscaping company aims to become the number one customer choice for aesthetic landscapes, it could have a strategic objective of lining all garden paths with beautiful flower arrangements.
- Quality objectives: Client trust thrives on quality deliverables. When clients are presented with a deliverable that they feel was a good investment of their money, they are likely to return for more. Of course, the reverse is also true.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PROJECT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES?
Now that we’ve had some examples of project goals and objectives let’s clarify the differences with the table below.
|
Key Factors |
Project Goals |
Project Objectives |
|
Definition |
Project goals can be defined as the end result a company wishes to achieve as a long-term gain. Project goals are ascertained based on facts and figures. |
Project objectives are concrete tasks that must be executed to attain the result. Project objectives are ascertained based on ideas and innovative thoughts. |
|
Time Duration |
Project goals are long-term and tend to cover a time period of usually 5-10 years. |
Project objectives are more concrete and specific. They cover short to mid-term achievements that usually need to be implemented daily. |
|
Measurability |
Project goals are challenging to measure, they do not have any criteria or set way to be measured properly. |
Project objectives are relatively easy to measure. They have set criteria that managers can consider to determine whether they were met successfully. |
|
Structure |
Project goals lack structure as they define long-term gains for an organization. Therefore, they are generic, vague, and abstract in nature. |
The goals and objectives of a project are very specific in nature. Objectives are highly structured as they define an organization's short—or medium-term achievements. |
Credit: ProProfs
PROJECT GOALS VS OBJECTIVES EXAMPLES
Now, test yourself! For each example below, decide whether it is a project goal or objective.
- Update the website to follow SEO best practices.
- Increase profitability by 15% by the end of the year.
- Build ten sheds on Wednesday.
- Create a new supermarket branch.
- Become the most popular creative agency in New York.
- Revise video script for quality control.
Answers in order of bullet points:
Objective, goal, objective, goal, goal, objective
How did you do?
If you got them right, three cheers for you- you’ll never mix up goals and objectives again!
Got a few wrongs? Just read through the table again.
ACHIEVE YOUR PROJECT GOALS & OBJECTIVES WITH WORKAMAJIG
Using a creative project management tool like Workamajig will help you stay on top of your project’s goals and objectives. Workamajig gives you clear visibility on the overall project status with details that include real-time budget tracking, resource allocation, and the ability to see exactly who is doing what.
By gaining a full picture of your project at any given time, you can stay within the scope of your project and avoid scope creep (and the horrors that come with it).
Learn more about the many features that Workamajig has to offer — such as project management, resource management, task management, and billing and accounting. These features will allow you to complete your project with all your goals and objectives intact and see true project success.
Request a free demo of Workamajig to see our tools in action.
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