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Goal Properties and Details

Understanding all the property fields available on goals — dates, descriptions, ownership, template-driven properties, and more.

Written by James Ross

Description

Every goal has a set of properties that define what it is, who owns it, and when it needs to be done. This article explains each property in detail, including the template-driven properties that vary by goal template.

Quick Steps

  • Right-click on a goal and select Edit Goal to see all properties.

  • The goal detail view has multiple tabs: Details, Properties, Associations, Activity, and Tasks.

Details Tab

Field

Type

Required?

Description

Title

Text

Yes

The name of the goal. Should be specific and action-oriented.

Description

Rich Text

No

A detailed explanation of what the goal aims to achieve, including success criteria.

Focus Area

Dropdown

Yes

The strategic theme this goal belongs to. A goal can be linked to multiple focus areas.

Template

Dropdown

Yes

The goal template from the Template Hierarchy. Defines custom fields and action buttons.

Start Date

Date

No

When work on the goal begins. Defaults to creation date.

Due Date

Date

No

Target completion date. Defaults to 1 month from start.

Owner

Dropdown

For Active

The person responsible. Required when activating; optional for Draft.

Properties Tab (Template-Driven)

The Properties tab shows custom fields defined by the goal template. These vary depending on the template selected. Common custom fields include:

  • Priority level

  • Success metrics

  • Dependencies

  • Budget allocation

Important: If no goal template has been selected in the Details tab, the Properties tab shows a message: "Select a goal template in the Details tab first." You must choose a template before template-driven properties become available.

Associations Tab

The Associations tab shows the goal's relationships within the plan:

  • Focus Areas — which focus areas this goal belongs to. A goal can be linked to multiple focus areas. The primary focus area is the one the goal was originally created in.

  • Parent Goals — which goals are above this goal in the hierarchy.

  • Child Goals — which goals are below this goal in the hierarchy.

Restrictions

  • Title, Focus Area, and Template cannot be left blank.

  • Owner is required to activate a goal.

  • Custom fields are defined by the template — you cannot add custom fields directly to a goal.

  • A goal can be linked to multiple focus areas, but the primary focus area is set at creation.

Important: The Start Date and Due Date drive the goal's position on the Gantt Chart. Set these dates accurately for meaningful timeline visualisation.

Further Information

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