Consultancy

Training & HR resources

Follow

RapidBI
Business & Organizational Development tools, training & services Human Resources, OD & Leadership
Search

Home Products & Diagnostic Tools Services Training ResourceZone News FAQ About us Blog Store Terms of Business Your Shopping Kart

rapidbi.com/the-difference-between-goals-objectives/

1/8

Appraisal Skills & Performance Management Courseware & Trainers Notes USD $47 Time & Priority Management Courseware USD $47 WebReporter Training activity USD $14.99 PPT Models for Talent Management USD $9.99 PPT Models for Change Management USD $14.99 PPT Models for Coaching USD $14.99 400+ PPT Models for Business, Coaching, Leadership & Management USD $49.99

Shopping cart

Your cart is empty Visit The Shop

Meta

Register Log in Lost your password?

Our Downloadable Products Include:

Google+

Mike Morrison on

Add to circles

Social Media

Follow us on Twitter

RSS feed
rapidbi.com/the-difference-between-goals-objectives/ 2/8

Recent Blog Articles:

Pecha Kucha Presentation Technique Four traits of transformational leaders intelligent dressing social or business Are you or might you be subject to IR35? as contractor or employer If twitter were just 100 people
Archive Select Month

Getting learning & Development on the national agenda Difference between Vision and Goals The Difference between Goals & Objectives By Mike Morrison - Last updated: Thursday, September 29, 2011 - Save & Share - 9 Comments Contents 1. 2. 3. 4. The Difference between Goals & Objectives Goals & Objectives in a modern business & educational sense What do Goals and Objectives look like if they are different? So what is the real difference between goals and objectives?

The Difference between Goals & Objectives

Often in business and education we talk about goals and objectives, indeed sometimes we use the terms interchangeably but are they the same? Lets start with some history and definitions: Goal 1530s, end point of a race, of uncertain origin, perhaps from O.E. *gal obstacle, barrier, a word implied by glan to hinder. The word goal appears once before this, in a poem from early 14c. and with an apparent sense of boundary, limit. Sports sense of place where the ball is put to score is attested from 1540s. Figurative sense of object of an effort is from 1540s Objective 1610s, originally in the philosophical sense of considered in relation to its object (opposite of subjective), formed on pattern of M.L. objectivus, from objectum object (see object (n.)). Meaning impersonal, unbiased is first found 1855, influenced by Ger. objektiv. The noun is 1738, with sense of something objective to the mind; meaning goal, aim is first as a military term from the American Civil War, 1864 (in objective point), from French; general use of it is first attested 1881
Goals & Objectives in a modern business & educational sense
rapidbi.com/the-difference-between-goals-objectives/ 3/8

It has been said that Goals without objectives can never be achieved while objectives without goals will never get you to where you want to be. Indeed the two concepts are related and yet separate. Using both can enable you (or the organization) to be and do what you want to do. Some management academics would say that the difference between goals and objectives is that a goal is a description of a destination, and an objective is a measure of the progress that is needed to get to the destination. In this context goals are the long term outcomes you (or the organization) want/ need to achieve. More often than not, these goals can be broken into chunks or objectives. Goals are often open and unstructured in nature. Goals can be fluid and are directional in nature. Objectives tend to be single achievable outcomes. They are concrete in statement and purpose. There is no ambiguity as to whether they have been achieved or not. Goals Broad in scope General intention or direction Intangible or soft Abstract Cant be easily measured/ validated Large in size The end The result The whole Longer term In practice what does this mean? The site diffen.com has this useful table: Goal Plan: Action: Broad plan Generic action Objective Narrow plan Specific action Objectives Narrow in scope Specific/ Precise Tangible Solid/ Concrete Can be easily measured/ validated Chunks Ends in themselves The means to the end Part of the whole, often with milestones Shorter term

Example:

I want to achieve success in the field of I want to complete this thesis on genetic genetic research and do what no one research by the end of this month. has ever done. Goals may not be strictly measurable or tangible. Longer term

Measure:

Must be measurable and tangible.

Time frame:

Short to medium term Something that ones efforts or actions are intended to attain or accomplish; purpose; target.
4/8

Meaning:

The purpose toward which an endeavour is directed.

rapidbi.com/the-difference-between-goals-objectives/

Principle:

Based on ideas

Based on fact

What do Goals and Objectives look like if they are different?

Examples of Goals and Objectives Goals: 1. I want to be the best musician in the school 2. We will be the number 1 supplier of. 3. I want to maintain a good knowledge of the profession. Objectives 1. we will sell xxx units by June next year. 2. I will pass my stage 3 business French assessment. 3. We will deliver 90% of the contract by In coaching, agreeing the direction of goal, which can often be seen as softer, emotional and more engaging first, helps both the coach and the individual to narrow down the actions into specific SMART Objectives.
So what is the real difference between goals and objectives?

Simple your desired outcome, scope and time frame one is a goal the other an objective.

Share your thoughts below

Tw eet Share Share

About Mike Morrison

Mike Morrison is a consultant and change agent specialising in developing skills in senior people to increase organizational performance. Mike is also founder & director of RapidBI, an organizational effectiveness consultancy. View all posts by Mike Morrison Blog Twitter Facebook Google+ RapidBI is an organizational effectiveness consultancy based in the UK but working internationally. RapidBI & Mike Morrison 2011 - this article/ page is free to copy and use on the condition that an active link back and reference is made to this site and page. Thank you for your understanding and co-operation.
rapidbi.com/the-difference-between-goals-objectives/ 5/8

CBSE Class 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 CBSE Math, Science, Social, English NCERT Tests. Join for Free.

www.SmartLearning.in

Allen + Clarke Policy and Regulatory Specialists Experts in Strategic Planning www.allenandclarke.co.nz airtel digital tv Buy airtel dth online & get 250 instant cashback. Hurry! airtel.com/digitaltv

Share this:
Share Related posts that may be of interest to you: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Writing and training managers in SMART objectives The language of feedback HOST GROW into a coaching model Management and leadership skills: What is the difference? Whats your cause? Goal setting for 2010

Posted in Management Top Of Page

0 Trackbacks to The Difference between Goals & Objectives 9 Responses to The Difference between Goals & Objectives

Comment from Sharon Gaskin Time September 29, 2011 at 11:52 RT@rapidbi The Difference between Goals & Objectives: The Difference between Goals & Objectives Often in busine

Comment from Heather Townsend Time September 29, 2011 at 12:02 RT: @rapidbi The Difference between Goals & Objectives: The Difference between Goals & Objectives Often in busi

Comment from dave Time September 29, 2011 at 12:02 The Difference between Goals & Objectives: The Difference between Goals & Objectives Often in business and educ

rapidbi.com/the-difference-between-goals-objectives/

6/8

Comment from Neil Ward Time September 29, 2011 at 12:07 RT @rapidbi: New Blog post: The Difference between Goals & Objectives

Comment from Cecilia E. Valdez Time September 29, 2011 at 12:20 New Blog post: The Difference between Goals & Objectives

Comment from Hauke Borow Time September 29, 2011 at 13:06 The Difference between Goals & Objectives

Comment from Joanna Bremner Time September 29, 2011 at 13:37 RT: @rapidbi The Difference between Goals & Objectives: The Difference between Goals & Objectives Often in busi

Comment from Hanan Mohammed Ali Time September 29, 2011 at 16:50 Article: The Difference between Goals & Objectives

Comment from Gavin Scott Time September 29, 2011 at 18:24 New Blog post: The Difference between Goals & Objectives

Write a comment
Name (required) Mail (will not be published) (required)
rapidbi.com/the-difference-between-goals-objectives/ 7/8

Website

Type the tw o w ords:

Notify me of new posts by email. This site uses cookies Okay, thanks Find out more

executive coaching peer to peer advice site map terms & conditions consultant access

BIR Diagnostic - Creatrix Innovation - Coaching - Mike Morrison - Employee Engagement Surveys - Management Development - Health and Safety - Site Map 2000-2012 Mike Morrison all rights reserved The BIR, EESS, PRIMO-F, the diamonds and the terms RapidBI is & TM Mike Morrison Creatrix is and Trade Mark of the Richard Byrd Company. All other TM & acknowledged RapidBI Limited Registered in England number 5446351

Template Credits: Matteo Turchetto | Inspired by Andreas 08 Template Andreas Viklund Adapted By Mike Morrison & Christopher R. Mihm 2009

rapidbi.com/the-difference-between-goals-objectives/

8/8