The project objective ought also to describe an outcome, meaning the effect or change that the project is supposed to cause for the target group. In practice it is often not quite so simple to distinguish outcomes from outputs, i.e. the project‘s products and deliverables. Well formulated, genuine outcome (and impact) objectives are therefore of great importance if the outcome and impact assessment is to have any significance.
What are project objectives in project management? Project objectives are goals, plain and simple. These are the business objectives that you want the project to accomplish. Within project management, it is of utmost importance that a project‘s objectives are stated clearly as these will impact every decision in the project lifecycle.
Project objectives must be measurable and contain key performance indicators that will be used to assess a project‘s success. These indicators will often encompass areas such as budget, quality, and time to completion.
The project objective describes the project‘s outcomes: intended and direct, short- and medium-term effects on the target group. The project objective must lie within the scope of the project, and one must be able to directly attribute the effects to the project. The project objective is often formulated in terms of the project‘s utility for the target group: ―Better… higher…‖ It also makes sense to formulate the project objective as a situation to be achieved in the future.
A well-formulated project objective
- Provides a concrete description of the project‘s effect at the outcome level;
- Was developed in a participatory process;
- Is accepted by the target group and other stakeholders;
- Is clear and concise
Managing a project calls for clear objectives. After all, a project‘s outcomes may be the products or services you develop or the results of using these products and services. The more clearly you define your project‘s objectives, the more likely you are to achieve them.
