Project goals and impact goals

Thank you for your answer! Here is my example of a SMART goal-formulation for the climbing expedition: “At least two of four climbing teams shall reach the summit, and get back to base camp without any serious injuries. The teams shall reach the summit within the period of date X to date Y.”

A comment about climbing teams: A mountain expedition consists of many people with different roles and responsibilities. The responsibilites are for example making food, setting up the base camp and so on. Only some people are climbers, who usually climb together in several smaller teams.

Hopefully you now clearly see the importance of SMART goal-formulations. If not SMART, there is a big risk that important stakeholders’ have different views and expectations on what to be achieved in the project.

Project goals also have to be complemented by impact goals. Project goals are results to achieve during the project period, or latest when the project is closed.

Impact goals are results (often) achieved after project closure and related to the aim of the project.

Manage project and impact goals

A project has only one overall purpose – To create value for a customer and important stakeholders. The main responsibility for the project manager is to achieve the project goals. The main responsibility for the steering group is to make sure that the project obtains the impact goals. However, the project manager and team shall strive to create the best preconditions to obtain the desired impact. I.e., they have to consider both project and impact goals.