How do you set project goals? How do you monitor the progress of goals?

Goal – A goal is a target that is trying to achieve or reach. We work with effort & determination to achieve our goal which is the final aim or objective. Goal setting comprises multiple practices like getting the right people on board, building an effective framework, taking initiatives.

Types of goals – Goals can be divided into short term goal and long-term goal. Like in agile short-term goal could be deliverable of valuable software by end of each sprint. Long term goal could be delivering final software.

Project goals – A project goal defines the project results. It provides a link between the project & its direct effects. Goals should always have objectives & aims. Project goals must be well defined. Every team member in team should have same understanding about the project. A goal is the ultimate aim of desired outcome of a project. Proper goal will lead to project success, as it helps to checks if the project is moving in the right direction & tasks are well aligned with goals already set. So, the project goals must define 5W’s (Who, What, When, Where, Why) regarding the project.

A goal statement should include the 5W’s

What is to be achieved by the end of the project

Why do we want to achieve this

Where will it happen

Who will be involved

When will it be completed

To set project goals it is important to have project planning – Project planning is a method that states how to complete a project within a specific timeframe and with defined stages and within assigned resources.

Following are the steps to set the project goals:

Goal setting is an essential part of project planning. Good team understand the importance of setting the right goal to deliver projects successfully and impress clients and stakeholders.

Identify goals – Goals must be identified first in order to achieve it.

Define SMART goals – When projects getting bigger and complicated, project manager have to look beyond the general requirements, timelines and budgets and start making SMART goals.

Create action plan & Monitor– It breaks down the goal into actionable steps that can be easily followed and tracked. The purpose of an action plan is to clarify what resources are required to reach the goal. Tasks need to be completed. Monitoring is a continuous process or assessment that aims at providing all stakeholders with detailed information of the project on the progress or delay of ongoing activities.

Having a proper project goal will make difference than not having a project goal.

Business analyst role in project goals:

Business analyst will be involved in project goals from gathering requirements to facilitating User acceptance testing (UAT). Business analyst need to gather requirement using different elicitation techniques and also using 3C’S – correct, complete, consistent. Documentation, modelling, communicates & keep track of the requirement with IT team, Handle change requests everything is taken care by business analyst.

How do you monitor the progress of goals:

• Build a plan & goal – A proper plan helps to define the full scope of a project but it also helps to stay focused, set goals & objectives, meet deadlines, measure success the entire project.
• Finish projects on time – Meet project deadlines.
• Control budget – In project must keep track of project costs & make adjustments as necessary to avoid exceeding the budget.
• Improve team communication & collaboration.
• Improve productivity & performance.
• Know client’s requirements in detail and Manage stakeholder’s expectations
• Improve the effectiveness of team meetings
• Feedback from end users or clients
• Revenue generated
• Efficiency & sustainability