Question

What is the difference between a goal and an objective?

A. Goals are narrow, and objectives are broad.
B. Managers set goals, and companies set objectives.
C. Goals are short term, and objectives are long term.
D. Goals are long range, and objectives are short term.

Answer 1

Goals are broad, long-range desired outcomes, while objectives are specific, short-term steps to achieve those goals. Objectives are SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Goals provide direction, and objectives outline the actions needed to get there.

Step-by-step explanation:

The difference between a goal and an objective mainly revolves around scope and specificity. A goal is a broad primary outcome, a desired end effect, which is general and long-term. In contrast, an objective is a stepping stone towards achieving a goal; it is much more specific and short-term. Objectives should be SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. This means that while goals give a general direction, objectives define clear actions and deadlines to help in achieving those goals.

For example, a company's goal might be to become a leader in the technology market, which is broad and long-range, while an objective to support this goal could be to increase research and development spending by 20% over the next year, which is specific and has a defined timeframe.