Goals

The term “goals” refers to a future condition or performance level that one intends to attain. Goals can be both short- and longer-term. Goals are ends that guide actions. Quantitative goals, frequently referred to as “targets,” include a numerical point or range. Targets might be projections based on comparative or competitive data. The term “stretch goals” refers to desired major, discontinuous (non-incremental) or “breakthrough” improvements, usually in areas most critical to your organization’s future success.

Goals can serve many purposes, including

• clarifying strategic objectives and action plans to indicate how you will measure success

• fostering teamwork by focusing on a common end

• encouraging “out-of-the-box” thinking (innovation) to achieve a stretch goal

• providing a basis for measuring and accelerating progress