WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PURPOSE, GOAL, AND OBJECTIVES: AN EXPLAINER
The following standard definitions provided a better understanding of the difference between purpose, goals, and objectives:
1. Purpose: Purpose provides the reason for doing something or rationalizing the reasons and intentions behind predetermined destinations or desired results.
2. Goals: A goal is a statement describing predetermined destinations or desired results. It represents aspiration or sets future directions toward the destinations.
3. Objectives: The stated objectives represent concrete actions needed to achieve the aspirations or steps required to reach predetermined destinations.
From the aforementioned definitions, purpose supersedes goals, which, on the other hand, supersedes objectives. Purpose and goal also tend to be general and abstract concepts while objectives are not only specific and concrete but also measurable.
A stated purpose provides a general snapshot. It is also often idealized or sentimentalized because it represents the values of an organization or individual. The goal or goals of a particular purpose statement are more direct-to-the-point and the corresponding objectives provide the steps needed to realize the purpose and achieve the point of the goals.
It is also important to underscore the fact that purpose also influences goals and objectives. It provides the foundation or basis for determining targeted outcomes or desired results and the general framework for driving toward these desired results.
