What is the Difference between Goals and Objectives?

Often in business and education, we confuse the difference between goals and objectives. We sometimes talk about goals and (SMART) objectives interchangeably. But are they the same?

Let us start by exploring 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 gælan “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

So what is the difference between goals and objectives?

Goals & Objectives in a modern business & educational sense

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 organisation) to be and do what you want to do.

Some academics define the difference between goals and objectives as:

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 organisation) 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.

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.

In practice, what does this mean?

The site diffen.com has this useful table:

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 on the direction of the 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…