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The following illustrates the differences between goals
and objectives and specific characteristics of each. This information was excerpted from
the Bureau
of Justice Assistance Evaluation Web site. Defining program goals
A goal
statement should describe in general terms something to be accomplished and be written
with several factors in mind. A goal:
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Covers long time spans relative to
objectives;
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Can be either intangible or tangible;
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Should be people or community
oriented;
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Should not predetermine the details of
program activities;
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Should be expressed as a desired
outcome or condition to be achieved rather than as an action or process. |
Defining program objectives
An
objective should describe something to be accomplished in specific, well-defined, and
measurable terms, and be written with these factors in mind. An objective:
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Is something that must be accomplished
in order to achieve a goal;
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Is not a program or project function,
activity, task, or step;
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Should not predetermine in any fashion
the solution to a problem or way to do something;
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Should explicitly consider unintended
or negative effects;
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Should be achievable within a specific
time frame;
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Should be expressed as a desired
outcome or condition to be achieved rather than as an action or process. |
Examples
Goal:
Reduction in incidence of fires
Objectives:
- 50%
increase in public awareness of fire dangers this year.
- Causes
of all fires occurring this year determined by January 15, xxxx.
- Fire
safety standards met by all new structures built during xxxx.
Goal:
Economic opportunities for persons who have not yet enjoyed economic equality
Objectives:
- Entrepreneurial
opportunities for 10 first-time business owners this year
- Two
hundred new jobs with earnings of $5,000/year or more this year
- Five
new minority owned and operated businesses this year
Source:
Bureau of Justice Assistance Evaluation Web site |
