Which term best matches a goal that is a specific commitment to achieve a measurable result within a stated period of time?

• A. Goal
• B. Objective
• C. Target
• D. Benchmark

Answer: (A)

Focusing on how plans move from broad aims to concrete, time-bound commitments helps here. When a statement specifies a precise, measurable result and a stated deadline, it’s describing an objective. An objective takes a broader goal and sharpens it into something you can measure, schedule, and manage progress toward. For example, instead of a vague aim like “improve performance,” an objective would be “increase performance metrics by 20% within the next six months,” which is specific, measurable, and time-bound.

A goal tends to be broader and more general, setting direction rather than a specific target to hit. A target is the exact numeric figure you aim for, which can be part of an objective but doesn’t by itself imply a timeline or overall commitment. A benchmark is a standard for comparison, used to judge whether performance meets a level of quality or practice, not a stated commitment to reach a result within a timeframe.

So, the term that best matches a goal that is a specific commitment to achieve a measurable result within a stated period is objective.