What's the difference between Goals and Strategies?

[Reed Lawson]

Looking at the Business Planner application (and Business Planning Portal) to support an organizational demand.  I have found no useful KBA's or other documentation and, surprisingly, there isn't a single youtube video on the topic.  The Goals module isn't exactly self-explanatory and I'm not sure how Enterprise and Business Unit Strategies should be setup in relation to Goals.  I'd love to discuss if you've made progress and have any insights to share.

[Jon Miller1]

It's on my list to implement next year, Reed. So I can tell you my theory without the practical application yet. Apologies now if this is just stating the obvious and what you already know.

We're a mid-size, relatively immature organization (c. 5000 employees, established c 30 years ago). We've established a "business process center of excellence (COE)" with each business function being represented. Our first roadmaps were just wish-lists of IT projects but we're getting to the point where those are now being aligned to goals and strategies, though the terms are still being used interchangably! My intent is to have the COE identify a small number of high-level business goals (around 5 of them) and to define strategies of how they want to achieve those goals. Demand should then be entered in support of the strategies to achieve the goals. I'm OK with retro-engineering project requests to that model if I have to; "OK so you want to do X, but how will that help you achieve Y?". From the research I've done, this approach aligns with ServiceNow's definition of goals/strategies and how they align to demand. The combination of goals, strategies, capabilities and demand should be what defines "roadmaps".

[Rae Ann Prasnic · Accepted solution]

Click here for a fairly simple article to help define goals vs. strategies.

• A goal is defined as the result which an individual or company plans to accomplish while a strategy is defined as the method by which the goal is achieved.
• Goals can be achieved in the long term or short term depending on the strategies that an individual or a company develops and uses.
• Both goals and strategies are geared toward the success of an individual or a business; the goal serves as the specific aim which inspires individuals to work efficiently while the strategy serves as the pattern, system, or means by which the goal is reached or achieved.

Please mark reply as helpful or correct if applicable (I'm working on a badge!). Thanks, Rae Ann

[Gaurav Shirsat]

Hi Reed

Align work with business goals to deliver product and services in a way that supports your strategic priorities. 

A goal is a broad primary outcome. A strategy is the approach you take to achieve a goal. An objective is a measurable step you take to achieve a strategy. A tactic is a tool you use in pursuing an objective associated with a strategy.

Every business, every individual, must have a Goals in order to succeed. It involves having to set a certain standard or level that one has to reach and which require the development of several strategies that would set the pace and serve as guide towards the goal.

A goal is defined as the desired result that a person or System anticipates and Plans  to accomplish. It is also referred to as the objective of any business plan or personal undertaking. The expected result acts as a guide for whatever action that the individual or company is taking towards the fulfillment of its goals.
It is also similar to a specific, realistic, and attainable aim which usually has a deadline. Goals can either be short term or long term and can be any of these types:

Consumer goal which is concerned with supplying the demand of consumers for a certain product.
Product goal which is concerned with producing products that are of higher quality.
Operational goal which is concerned with the proper  resources Management  for the efficient operation of the business.

More Conclusive:-

1.A goal is defined as the result which an individual or company plans to accomplish while a strategy is defined as the method by which the goal is achieved.
2.Goals can be achieved in the long term or short term depending on the strategies that an individual or a company develops and uses.
3.Both are geared towards the success of an individual or a business; the goal serves as the specific aim which inspires individuals to work efficiently while the strategy serves as the pattern, system, or means by which the goal is reached or achieved.

Please Mark Correct and Helpful

Thanks and Regards

Gaurav Shirsat