Defining your project goals is the first task to execute if you want to ensure success.
All too often, project objectives are confused with the project definition itself, such as "relocating the warehouse" or "implementing a new process", rather than "improving customer service quality while reducing costs" or "handling an increasing workload without hiring new staff."
Find out why this project key tops the 10-point project checklist.
Once upon a time...
I remember my first meeting with executives from a large company who were planning to relocate a warehouse and wanted to put me in charge of the project.
“What are the project goals?” was my first question.
They looked at me as if I were an idiot.
“The project objective is to move the warehouse.”
I rephrased my question:
“Based on what criteria would you say the project was a success once it is completed?”
They sat down, took the time to reflect, and then gave me a list: minimize relocation costs, maintain continuity of customer deliveries, meet deadlines, and have functional interfaces in place from day one.
That’s where we started.
And the project ticked all the boxes on go-live day.
Your compass
Project objectives serve as a compass. When you know what you are aiming for, you can consult that compass whenever you encounter a problem along the way and make a decision that keeps you on course.
And since projects are never smooth sailing, when you encounter the first hurdle, you know what can be sacrificed and what absolutely cannot be compromised on, which is precisely what you defined through your success criteria.
This exercise might not be easy : bear in mind that "to choose is to forgo." Your goals must be realistic — accepting areas of lower performance within the project — while also clearly defining the non-negotiables.
You've defined your goals - great ! Are you done now ?
Be warned: objectives are never set in stone. If, during the project, through your routines and management processes, you realize you chose the wrong goals, it is entirely possible, and even advisable, to change them.
This is precisely where the other pillars of the checklist come into play: change management, pacing, and decision-making bodies. We will discuss these very soon!
However, if you want to fail a project, then don't have precise goals. That way, you'll find for sure something that did not work out well.
Let's sum-up
For the next project you undertake, if you haven’t done so already, ask yourself: based on what criteria will you determine, at the project's conclusion, that it was a success? Try to list as few as possible.
Then, once these objectives are defined:
- communicate them
- reiterate them at every decision-making meeting
- assess their relevance and completion status at every stage of the project
- use them as a compass when facing difficult decisions.
You're unsure about your project goals ?
I can help you with the Project Audit : a quick diagnosis to identify what's missing and deliver you clear and actionable tasks to steer the project back on track.
👉 Discover more about the Project Audit
I hope this article has shed some light on the subject, and I look forward to seeing you soon as we continue exploring the other components of the project checklist!