Objectives, Goals, Tasks and Milestones:What’s the Difference?

I was recently evaluating goal tracking software products. I’ve used heavy duty Project Management software packages like MS Project and Timeline since the beginning of time (25 years and Version 1.0 seems like the beginning of time!), but I was looking for something simpler that would be easy to use and make more sense for solo-entrepreneurs.

I’m still doing my eval, and I’ll let you know the results, but what struck me is the importance of the following components in project planning and the fact that most people, including myself at one point in time, don’t know the difference between them–Objectives, Goals, Tasks, and Milestones.

I think the two that are most confused are Objectives and Goals.  But let’s break them all down:

Objective-what you will accomplish

Goal-a specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, time-framed (S.M.A.R.T.) statement of what you will accomplish that will lead you towards achieving your objective.  There can be more than one goal necessary to achieve an objective.

Tasks-an action or step you will perform that will lead you to your goal. There can be more than one task necessary to achieve an objective.

Milestones-a measurable accomplishment or deliverable.  This is not an action, it is a product of your tasks.  There can be a number of milestones along the way to accomplishing a goal.

Here’s an example: