The project rationale should lay the ground work of what the problem is and why it is important to solve. In the next section, the proposal should explain the overall goal and objectives, showing how the project intends to approach the problem.
While often used interchangeably, there is a fundamental difference between a goal and an objective in proposal writing.
A project goal, also called the overall goal or overall objective, is a very general, high-level and long-term vision for the project. A goal cannot be achieved by the project on its own, but in pursuit of the goal, the project is designed. Usually, there is one project goal only, which can be reflected in the title of the project.
The goal gives direction to the project or the organization. There can be many other projects and groups working towards the same or similar overall goal. However, within the life cycle of one project, it is typically impossible to achieve such a goal.
Examples of overall goals:
- “End child labor”
- “Provide housing facilities for earthquake-affected victims”
- “Reduce the impact of natural disaster on communities belonging to the hilly region”
A Project Goal is
- Very general, high-level and long-term
- Unachievable by one project; each project is a step towards achieving the goal
- A major benchmark to compare work between different projects
- The single reason for planning the project
- Often reflected in the title of the project
- Supported by the overall policy of the government or the donor agency
Project objectives are the specific achievements which the project aims to complete. Objectives should directly address the problem described in the project rationale. They should be specific – the more specific, the easier it will be to design activities and indicators. Specific objectives also clearly address the problem stated and more easily convince the donor.
Specific objectives can and should be achieved by the project. The overall goal can be broken into several specific goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound. For example, ‘to reduce by 25% the number of girls working in carpet factories in city X”; ‘to increase school
Project objectives are the specific achievements which the project aims to complete. Objectives should directly address the problem described in the project rationale. They should be specific – the more specific, the easier it will be to design activities and indicators. Specific objectives also clearly address the problem stated and more easily convince the donor.
Specific objectives can and should be achieved by the project. The overall goal can be broken into several specific goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound. For example, ‘to reduce by 25% the number of girls working in carpet factories in city X”; ‘to increase school
Tips for SMART objectives:
- Think about what success means for the project and how to show that success.
- Refer to the results expected from the project.
- Describe the focus population and the desired change among the population.
- Include the location and time period for each objective.
- Reflect the intended changes in systemic conditions or behaviors that must be achieved to accomplish the goal/strategic objective.
- Objectives should have measurable indicators which show what, when and how conditions, behaviors and practices will change.
- Objectives must be verifiable at some point during the execution of the project.
Ensuring that the objectives are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound will allow for much easier planning and evaluating once the project is implemented.