Difference Between Goal and Objective

Introduction

Goals and objectives lie at the core of the effective functioning of any business or organization. The adoption of specific goals and objective is an essential component of any individual or business strategy to achieve desired outcomes. Even when both the terms are often used interchangeably, both goal and objective are distinct from each other and can be clearly distinguished based on certain key factors. As key planning and organizational tool, the right goals and objectives provide structure to the actions of a company by directing it toward the achievement of a particular goal. Both are complementary to each other and the absence of any component would prove unfruitful to the larger personal or business goals. Goal provides a vision and direction, the objectives allow the goal to be achieved through small, measurable actions.

Whenever any individual, business, or organization undertakes a task or a project, the necessity of clear goals and objectives is inevitable as they act as a guiding force throughout one’s journey to achieve desired outcomes. Depending on the mission and ideals of the organization, the right goals and objectives can be set which cater to the needs of the company. Goals and objectives are not restricted to any person or a business necessarily, rather must be adopted by everyone as it would keep them moving in a particular direction while also keeping one motivated to achieve success.

Difference Between Goal And Objective In Tabular Form

Parameters of comparison	Goals	Objective
Meaning	A goal is the result or desired outcome and is characterized as being broad and based on ideas.	An objective is the method or steps through which the goal can be achieved.
Scope	The formation of goals allows for creativity and flexibility, and therefore based on ideas.	Objectives are more specific in nature as they are based on facts. These are created in a way, which is clear and concise, in order to avoid any confusion.
Role	Goals reflect the larger vision and targets of the organization; however, the focus of action is primarily towards the objective which directly impact the movement of a business in the desired direction.	The presence of objectives acts as a catalyst to achieve the desired results as it provides a sense of direction to the individual or employees, which, in turn motivates them to work harder to get closer to their goals.
Time period	Goals are long-term in nature with broader outcomes.	Objectives may involve daily, weekly, or monthly targets which facilitate the achievement of the outcome, and therefore, are short-term in nature.
Tangibility	Goals can sometimes be intangible due to its abstract nature as it cannot be measured or quantified.	Objectives are tangible with specific and relevant targets.
Engagement	Goals have lesser active engagement as the primary focus is set on the achievement of objectives, which lead to the goal.	Individuals and businesses are more actively engaged with the objectives on a regular basis as it is the medium through which a goal is achieved.
Types	Goals can be categorized into time-based goals, performance- based goals, quantitative and qualitative goals, outcome, or process-oriented goals among several others.	Objectives can be divided into strategic objectives, tactical objectives, operational objectives, project and learning objectives.
Examples	Few examples of goals are- to become the largest fashion retailing industry by 2025; to ensure workplace diversity and inclusivity etc.	Examples of an objective is- to lay down guidelines and schemes to ensure diversity in workplace; to adopt effective digital marketing strategies like SEO practices and influencer marketing etc.
Action	Goals are not always action-oriented as they only indicate the desired final outcomes.	Objectives are action-oriented as they demand an immediate call to action through measurable and specific methods.
Language	The language employed to create goals is more creative and aspirational rather than being too factual.	Objective are laid down to the point, specific, and in a detailed and concise language which clearly conveys the targets to achieve.

What Is A Goal?

In simple words, a goal is the desired result achieved with the help of regular objectives laid down by an individual or organization. For any organization, it is crucial to design relevant and relatable goals which align with its mission and values and is reflective of the larger ambitions of the organization. While setting a goal, an awareness of the resources at hand and the potential of the company is essential as it would forge a realistic goal setting. This, in turn, increases the chances of being successful in achieving the desired outcome due to increased clarity.

Goal setting is a core ingredient for the effective functioning of any organization as it provides a structure to the work, and its presence conveys a clear message to the employees of the vision of the company and what is expected from them. It not only acts as a guiding force but also provides a direction to the work by aligning the actions according to the vision of the company. 

Types Of Goal

Time-based Goals

Goals can be time-based, depending upon the time required to achieve a particular target, and can be further divided into long-term and short-term goals.

• Long-term Goals- As the term suggests, long-term goals are set for a longer period like a year or two, and therefore require patience and consistent efforts in a single direction along with a clear intention of the desired outcomes. These are also reflective of one’s larger beliefs and aspirations and can be achieved through multiple short-term goals. E.g., to build brand recognition or make people adopt more environment-friendly practices, etc.
• Short-term goals- Short-term goals are set for a relatively shorter period, such as a few weeks or months, which allows one to stay focused and organized. As short-term goals require relatively less time, it has better chances of success than long-term goals. These can also be part of long-term goals and therefore act as stepping stones for achieving the outcome.

Performance-Based Goals

As a major component of workforce management, setting performance goals allows businesses to maintain track of the performance of the employees based on several parameters. Setting good performance goals allows the employees to be better informed about the priorities and work demands of a company and therefore, allows them to accordingly assess their suitability for the role. To ensure the effectiveness of performance goals, it is necessary to ensure that they are clear, relevant, and time-bound while being aligned with the company's larger goals. A few examples of performance goals include productivity goals like increasing sales, lead generation, social media marketing goals, etc.

Outcome-Oriented vs Process-Oriented Goals

Outcome-oriented goals indicate an attachment to the result or outcome rather than focusing on the steps or process required to achieve it. An awareness of the outcome allows one to evaluate one’s current position and the changes required as well as facilitates the setting of the right steps to achieve the desired result. Process-oriented goals, on the other hand, are more process-centric with a primary focus on the steps or methods to be adopted to reach an outcome. These are more specific and lay down a plan of action to direct efforts in the right direction.

Intrinsic vs Extrinsic Goals

Intrinsic goals are set with a target to achieve results such as personal growth and development, improved relationships, good physical and mental health, etc., and are therefore the work and efforts made on own selves. On the contrary, extrinsic goals are completely external to a person and focus on external aspects like money-making or financial success, buying a new house or a car, etc.

The intention to set intrinsic goals comes from a position of realization of the long-term importance of the fulfillment of key life aspects, whereas extrinsic goals are mostly attached to the outcome and are sometimes used as a constant external validation to determine one’s success in life.

What Is Objective?

An objective is created with the primary intention to set out clearly defined steps to direct one’s path to success. Also sometimes referred to as sub-goals, objectives are milestones or small steps which lead to desired goals. Right objectives function as a catalyst to get the desired outcome, which emphasizes the need to set out these targets carefully. Laying out objectives is also crucial to the efficiency and effectiveness of any business goals or individual goals as it acts as a motivation and source of encouragement for the employees. In other words, knowledge of the objectives beforehand as well as knowing the next target immediately as one target is achieved provides great clarity and confidence, and, in turn, encourages them to move even closer to their desired goals.

Types Of Objectives

• Strategic Objectives- The two main components while laying down strategic objectives include recognizing the desired outcome along with the time frame required to achieve it. As part of the larger planning process, laying down unique strategic objectives allow a business to focus on the key areas, which eventually lead to the fulfillment of the larger goals of the company.
• Tactical Objectives- As the term suggests, tactical objectives require focusing on the tactics or required steps to achieve a desired goal and are generally short-term with a fixed deadline. Also known as “initiatives”, tactical objectives go hand in hand with the broader strategic objectives and aim to fulfill the broader goal through small, quick, achievable, and measurable steps.
• Operational Objectives- All objectives are created to facilitate the larger goals of an individual or company. In a similar fashion, operational objectives as part of a broader vision are primarily action-oriented, and short-term in nature and the fulfillment of each of these working objectives eventually culminates in the achievement of the larger vision.
• Project Objectives- Project objectives are laid down especially as an integral component of project management, and are laid down before beginning the project to set out the targets you wish to achieve. A careful assessment of the priorities, resources, and other aspects is essential to fulfilling the objectives as well as the management must ensure that these are written as clearly as possible to avoid ambiguity.
• Learning Objectives- As is self-suggestive, learning objectives are usually laid down before the start of any sort of training or course, and serve as a tool to facilitate conscious decision-making. In other words, learning objectives or learning outcomes lay down in advance what is expected out of a course, which allows learners to carefully assess if it suits their interests and then make a final decision. These objectives are mostly employed by universities and institutions or an academic curriculum to provide the learners with a helpful tool hand.

Main Difference Between Goal And Objective (in Points)

• A goal is the outcome of a plan or strategy, whereas an objective can be understood as a roadmap that includes several small steps and smaller goals to achieve the result. 
• Goals are broad, can be time-bound or not, and reflective of the larger desires and ambitions of a company. Objectives, on the other hand, are more detailed and specific as they intend to convey the small targets to be achieved to derive the outcome. 
• The language used to lay down objectives is more abstract and non-specific and indicates the aspirational values of a company. An objective is laid down clearly with the language being direct, concise, and relevant to the larger goal.
• Another related difference is the intangibility of a goal at times due to the inability to measure or quantify the outcome. For example, a person’s resolve to ensure constant growth and a positive mindset. On the contrary, objectives are always tangible as they can be measured and even indicated using figures and other specific details. For example, to read ten pages daily, to increase sales by 10% in August, etc. 
• Goals are the long-term vision or desires of a person or business, in comparison to objectives, which are short-term targets through which a goal can be achieved.
• Goals have relatively less active engagement as the focus of action is on achieving an objective. Therefore, an objective is more actively engaged with and can be modified to align with the larger goals.
• Some common types of goals include short-term, long-term, outcome-oriented, and process-oriented goals. Types of objectives can be divided into strategic, operational, and tactical.

Conclusion

While setting goals and objectives is crucial to any planning strategy, whether a business or personal goal; these goals must reflect the true desires and aspirations of the organization. Goals and objectives must be designed to take a business or an individual closer to the larger vision rather than getting side-tracked. One of the most popular approaches adopted while setting goals is the SMART approach which stands for specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound. A careful analysis and consideration of these parameters as well as implementing them allows for clarity and is the right method to set down the goals and objectives.

References

• https://www.atlassian.com/work-management/strategic-planning/setting-goals/types-of-goals
• https://asana.com/resources/goal-vs-objective