Project Goals And Objectives
PWWorld 360, Friday, July 28,2023
Project goals and objectives are developed early in both project management and business analysis. In project management, goals and objectives are defined during the creation of the project charter. In business analysis, goals and objectives are defined during the needs assessment.
In both areas, goals and objectives are often interchanged and misunderstood. The development of goals and objectives helps clarify the business need and the scope of either the project or the product. This is used exclusively to eliminate uncertainty and to align the project or the product with the goals and objectives of the organization.
Alignment is key to sound project management. The project manager needs to ensure that the project is justified and executed for the right reasons. Goals and objectives help in this alignment by providing perspective, margins, and the overall target for the project. For many organizations, it would be seen as a waste of time and resources if a project was undertaken that didn't align with the goals and objectives of the organization.
Goals and objectives, developed early, provide a sound foundation on which to base scope and requirements. Fully articulated goals and objectives can be directly linked to requirements to ensure those requirements are within the scope of the project and add value. They are also instrumental in reducing scope creep.