Final answer:
The process of evaluation is what closes the gap between goals and actual outcomes. It involves assessing performed actions against predefined objectives and using this information to make necessary adjustments for future planning and implementation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Closing the gap between your goals and the actual outcomes is primarily addressed through the process of evaluation. The evaluation process is where you examine attainments against the set objectives, thereby identifying any discrepancies and helping to inform further action and refinements. This is a critical phase in both project management and policy development cycles. The evaluation stage serves as an essential feedback loop, allowing for the reassessment of goals and the readjustment of strategies to better align future actions with desired results.
Within the context of SMART goals, after you have created a tangible Action Plan and initiated the implementation, it is vital to establish criteria to measure progress. This is part of the measurable component of SMART goals. The date for the completion of your actions forms the basis for ongoing monitoring which, when assessed at the performance evaluation stage, provides insights into goal achievement.
As you can see, evaluation is intimately linked with other stages like the preparatory phase, implementation, and development of lessons learned. It is the step that closes the feedback loop and ensures continuous improvement and goal attainment.