Objectives are actions (smallest means) taken (needed) to accomplish goals.Īn objective is a measure of the progress that is needed to get to the goal (destination). Goals are larger checkpoints that lead the way to accomplishing visions. Goals are specific statements of intent, broad descriptions of a destination but no outline of steps to get there. In business, aims relate to the end results, while goals, objectives and targets help to achieve these results.Īn aim is a purpose or the desired outcome, the vision for the business.Īims are bigger, more general and do not always have goals and objectives but must have an action plan These words are interrelated but they also have important distinctions. And then you could have a list of objectives which would help the team perform specific actions to achieve the target. For example: We need to sell 10 000 pairs of trainers at $100 each to achieve our target of $1 000 000 by the end of the year. Note: A target can also be used in the context of sales to specify how much money needs to be made and how many sales would achieve that. For example, to lose 5KG by the end of the year, I will exercise for an hour everyday, drink 2L of water everyday, etc.

It is not something you can see clearly yet.Īn target or objective would be the steps to take to reach the goal or aim.

They are more tangible and concrete.Ī goal or an aim may be to lose 5KG by the end of the year. Target and objectives: the exact result of what you want to get. Aim: what you hope to get or what you want to do, but may take a long period of time.

These words are sometimes synonymous, but they do have slightly different meanings:

What does it mean to be objective