The document defines and distinguishes the terms "purpose", "aim", "target", "goal", "objective", and "ambition". It states that an aim is a broad statement of intent, a purpose relates to the broader reason for existing, a goal is a more detailed statement of something hoped to be achieved, a target is a specific intended result, an objective is a precise and measurable statement, and an ambition relates to a personal aspiration. It also provides examples for each term and compares the differences between goals and objectives.

1. What is difference between
“purpose”, “aim”, “target”, “goal”,
“objective”, and “ambition”
Strategic
Management

2. aim
something you hope to achieve by doing something: The main
aim of the plan was to provide employment for local people
an "aim" is a broad statement of intent: to
provide employment... / to reduce poverty
/ to increase profits / to halt the flow of
drugs &c. (It may be likened to a wish, a
prayer or a hope.) E.g. "I am going to learn
to drive"
2

3. "Purpose" seems to relate more to
the broader reason for existing E.g
within which Aim &c are the
statements indicating how this is to
be achieved. "
purpose
what you want to achieve when you do
something; the reason you do or plan
something, and the thing you want to
achieve when you do it: The games have an
educational purpose.
3

4. goal
something important that you hope to achieve in the
future, even though it may take a long time: The country
can still achieve its goal of reducing poverty by a third.
4
"goal" is a slightly more detailed statement: to
increase employment to 90% / to reduce poverty by
1/3 / to increase profits by 10% / to halt the flow of
drugs to juveniles &c. E.g. I am going to learn to
drive a car as soon as possible."

5. the exact result that a person or organization intends to
achieve by doing something, often the amount of money
they want to get; a particular amount or total that you
want to achieve: The company is on track to meet its
target of increasing profits by 10%.
5
Target

6. objective
the specific thing that you are trying to achieve - used especially
about things that have been officially discussed and agreed upon
in business, politics, etc. and agreed upon in business, politics,
etc.: Their main objective is to halt the flow of drugs. | We met to
set the business objectives for the coming year
6
an "objective" is a PRECISE
(unambiguous)statement of a
set of REALISTIC and
MEASURABLE targets to be
achieved.E.g. "I am going to go
to the ABC school of motoring
tomorrow morning and sign on
for a set of lessons costing not
more than £250 with a view to
passing my test within one
month of starting the lessons."
This has [Measurable] targets of
Quality (pass the test); Quantity
(set of lessons / 1 test) Time
(tomorrow, AM / 1 month) and
Cost (£250) it is KNOWN,
UNDERSTOOD and ACCEPTED
by the person involved and so it
meets the PRAMKU test for an
objective.

7. "Ambition" seems to relate to a personal
aspiration E.g. My ambition is to be a
" Movie Star"
ambition
something that you very much want to achieve
in your future career: Her ambition was to go to
law school and become an attorney. | Earlier this
year,he achieved his ambition of competing in the
Olympic Games.
7

8. CompareGoalsVsObjectives:
Goals Objectives
Broad in scope Narrow in scope
General intention or direction Specific/ Precise
Intangible or “soft” Tangible
Abstract Solid/ Concrete
Can’t be easily measured/ validated Can be easily measured/ validated
Large in size Chunks
The end Ends in themselves
The result The means to the end
The whole Part of the whole, often with milestones
Longer-term Shorter-term
8

9. ThankYouforyourattention
Sonia Taheri
Refrence 1: english.stackexchange.com
Refrence 2: rapidbi.com
9