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Does unrealistic targets affect the performance of the project

These are targets which are too ambitious, objectives too much. It is important to put few targets which you can easily achieve without panicking.

Yes they do

Monitoring and evaluation is important in organization

Input,output,outcome,indeks

Word of the season: to set targets, use data not feelings.

Any one else here an overly ambitious culprit? What is the most unrealistic target you have ever set for a project and with what you know now, how would you have refined it?

I used to think that being realistic meant lack of faith...but what it is is managing expectations to what you can practically achieve with your resources.

So true: I've been going through some panic lately. The code is...get it right from the start...manage expectations.

Targets should be set based on the data whatever its come from secondary or primary source.

Targets can be seen to be unrealistic when targets are set without consideration to baseline data, when targets are too high and not achieveable. And when the Risk and Assumption are not fully considered because of personal biases.

Targets can be seen to be unrealistic when targets are set without consideration to baseline data, when targets are too high and not achieveable. And when the Risk and Assumption are not fully considered because of personal biases.

Targets can be seen to be unrealistic when targets are set without consideration to baseline data, when targets are too high and not achieveable. And when the Risk and Assumption are not fully considered because of personal biases.

if you set excessively unrealistic goals, you set yourself up for disappointment. ... Not reaching goals results in negative emotions: disappointment, frustration, and feeling like a failure. It also makes you more likely to quit, be even less healthy, and claim that your genetics make success impossible.
However, if that goal is constantly unrealistic, employees can feel like they're not achieving. This can impact self-esteem, motivation, and productivity, which can damage your bottom-line. Staff may aim lower – If targets are regularly set too high, staff will constantly fail to meet them

if you set excessively unrealistic goals, you set yourself up for disappointment. ... Not reaching goals results in negative emotions: disappointment, frustration, and feeling like a failure. It also makes you more likely to quit, be even less healthy, and claim that your genetics make success impossible.
However, if that goal is constantly unrealistic, employees can feel like they're not achieving. This can impact self-esteem, motivation, and productivity, which can damage your bottom-line. Staff may aim lower – If targets are regularly set too high, staff will constantly fail to meet them

Most are based around a core set of basic tools. These include interviews, focus group discussions, observation, photography, video, surveys, questionnaires and case studies. Data may also be generated through direct measurement, reviewing secondary data, and informal project / programme management processes.
Here are the top six data collection methods:
Interviews.
Questionnaires and surveys.
Observations.
Documents and records.
Focus groups.
Oral histories.

Unreasonable targets hinder team spirit as well as kill creativity through generating undesirable distress among team members. It adversely affect attitude of team members towards set targets or goal. Many times it is source of perpetual conflict within organization. It creates psychological barrier among team members on the line that it is practically infeasible or irrational or unachievable. Unreasonable targets brings resentment & shake faith of team towards its leaders as well as organization. Motivation of team members depends on belief that we will achieve organization goal, but when team start to visualize targets as unachievable it brings devastating effect on collective conscious of team . Success over project is not one man show but depends on collective wisdom/ ingenuity/ foresight of team which is based on reasonable or rationality of targets. Ultimately, unreasonable targets disintegrate overall environment of organization at various level viz. people, policy, process, procedure or system level etc. Hence, reasonable targets need to be set up based on criteria of SMART Principal i.e. Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time Bound. Therefore, SMART Principal will accelerate cohesiveness in team and orient team towards achievement of ultimate expectation of stakeholders.

Goal is the main motivation for employees, donors and it was also clear that the goal can be updated during the implementation of the project.
Can we set more goals within the same project?

Targets are what an organisation uses to measure the success of its programs. They can be used to motivate the team by giving them a goal to work towards.
Targets also help show donors the amount of work the organisation is about to take on for proper funding.
However targets need to be realistic otherwise they will lead to dissapointment of the whole team. To ensure that they are achievable alot of research needs to be done before hand. If the organisation has done the project previously they can use the target reached to be their baseline and set their new target higher than that. If its it's another organisation that did the project the same applies. If it's a project that has never been done before the target baseline would be zero.

It is possible to solve unrealistic target by setting judgmental view as well as participatory discussion.

Why can't we consider that the 100% of the donated funds reach the beneficiaries? Sera by the margin of error ???

Unrealistic targets are set by over ambitious project teams, or lack of adequate baseline data, survey.
If you realize that the set target are unrealistic, then there is a need to adjust the said target to allow effective and none stretch in project implementation.

It is important to set realistic targets to enable proper running of a project. Unrealistic targets mount unnecessary pressure to the project

I think it is very important to set your biases aside and set realistic targets. Especially when you need to go back and adjust a target because it turns out to be impossible to reach.

It is an awful feeling when the target is too ambitious so that even when people work lots of overtime and get really stressed you still miss it.

Setting goals can be tricky. If we are optimistic, we may set our goals too high. Similarly, if we feel pessimistic, we may set our goals too low. To set goals like M&E experts, we need to use data rather than feelings to set goals. This will ensure that we will not let our biases or assumptions influence our decisions. The baseline is the level of the indicator before the start of the project. It is important to understand not only the baseline level of the indicator, but also whether the indicator has changed in recent years. When setting goals, we may also need to consider other sources of information.

it is very important to create realistic targets for the project because our targets give the clear picture for the whole project

this is very true,if the targets are unrealistic the employees can even lose direction of their work

The other thing is that unrealistic target can easily contribute to uneffective results of the project

Unrealistic target are M&E limitations to all projects.

• Be honest about these limitations with donors, beneficiaries or anyone else who might be interested in your work. Ideally, share these limitations before your project starts, so that people do not develop unrealistic expectations.
• Example an organization might only have the resources to survey a small group of people. Make sure to share this fact when the data is presented. This way, anyone reading about the data can accurately assess the meaning of the data.
  -A conflict of interest occurred when you or your organization might gain something useful if a certain outcome is reached.
• Imagine an organization that receives donations from a pharmaceutical company. If they publish data that shows that one of that pharmaceutical company’s drugs is effective, their donor might be pleased with them and give them more money.
• Note that changing their data to make their donor look good would be deeply dishonest and, therefore, unethical. -
  -However, even if the data were completely accurate, it would still be unethical for this organization to publish any data about this drug without first disclosing their relationship with the donor. If you are ever worried that your organization might have a conflict of interest, make sure that you share this information when you present the data.
• Even when you suspect your stakeholders’ expectations are unrealistic, it is best to raise the issue before the project begins

Unrealistic target are M&E limitations to all projects.

• Be honest about these limitations with donors, beneficiaries or anyone else who might be interested in your work. Ideally, share these limitations before your project starts, so that people do not develop unrealistic expectations.
• Example an organization might only have the resources to survey a small group of people. Make sure to share this fact when the data is presented. This way, anyone reading about the data can accurately assess the meaning of the data.
  -A conflict of interest occurred when you or your organization might gain something useful if a certain outcome is reached.
• Imagine an organization that receives donations from a pharmaceutical company. If they publish data that shows that one of that pharmaceutical company’s drugs is effective, their donor might be pleased with them and give them more money.
• Note that changing their data to make their donor look good would be deeply dishonest and, therefore, unethical. -
  -However, even if the data were completely accurate, it would still be unethical for this organization to publish any data about this drug without first disclosing their relationship with the donor. If you are ever worried that your organization might have a conflict of interest, make sure that you share this information when you present the data.
• Even when you suspect your stakeholders’ expectations are unrealistic, it is best to raise the issue before the project begins,
  -The targets can be reset for project to be completed

I will be difficult to achieve your project goals with unrealistic target even if you embark it

Unrealistic target are M&E limitations to all projects.

• Be honest about these limitations with donors, beneficiaries or anyone else who might be interested in your work. Ideally, share these limitations before your project starts, so that people do not develop unrealistic expectations.
• Example an organization might only have the resources to survey a small group of people. Make sure to share this fact when the data is presented. This way, anyone reading about the data can accurately assess the meaning of the data.
  -A conflict of interest occurred when you or your organization might gain something useful if a certain outcome is reached.
• Imagine an organization that receives donations from a pharmaceutical company. If they publish data that shows that one of that pharmaceutical company’s drugs is effective, their donor might be pleased with them and give them more money.
• Note that changing their data to make their donor look good would be deeply dishonest and, therefore, unethical. -
  -However, even if the data were completely accurate, it would still be unethical for this organization to publish any data about this drug without first disclosing their relationship with the donor. If you are ever worried that your organization might have a conflict of interest, make sure that you share this information when you present the data.
• Even when you suspect your stakeholders’ expectations are unrealistic, it is best to raise the issue before the project begins,
  -The targets can be reset for project to be completed

• To make our targets ambitious yet realistic we looked at our previous
  implementation and
• what we've been able to achieve and set new targets.
• we looked at the kind of resources that we have available for us. Was it realizable
  for us to realize new targets?
• we can set new targets. We also picked two

Unrealistic target are M&E limitations to all projects.

• Be honest about these limitations with donors, beneficiaries or anyone else who might be interested in your work. Ideally, share these limitations before your project starts, so that people do not develop unrealistic expectations.
• Example an organization might only have the resources to survey a small group of people. Make sure to share this fact when the data is presented. This way, anyone reading about the data can accurately assess the meaning of the data.
  -A conflict of interest occurred when you or your organization might gain something useful if a certain outcome is reached.
• Imagine an organization that receives donations from a pharmaceutical company. If they publish data that shows that one of that pharmaceutical company’s drugs is effective, their donor might be pleased with them and give them more money.
• Note that changing their data to make their donor look good would be deeply dishonest and, therefore, unethical. -
  -However, even if the data were completely accurate, it would still be unethical for this organization to publish any data about this drug without first disclosing their relationship with the donor. If you are ever worried that your organization might have a conflict of interest, make sure that you share this information when you present the data.
• Even when you suspect your stakeholders’ expectations are unrealistic, it is best to raise the issue before the project begins,
  -The targets can be reset for project to be completed

Unrealistic targets will cause the project not be realised and also will lead to frustration among project team members once they fail to realise the targets. Furthermore, because unrealistic targets may cause the project to lag behind schedule, funding from donors may be affected. If your target is 100 males and you involve female 30, defiantly you can not meet your target as planed.

To estimate prevalence of Materia in 100000 households within one month in the Logo district which is not possible to assess all those houses in Logo district within this study period as result it will hard to attain the target of the project.
It is very important to create data flow map which will simplify the the work and as result it will assist in archiving the goal

It will really take skill and expertise to define expertise as a novice in M&E. I also like that with consultation with the donors and stakeholders targets can be realistically adjusted based on the situation and context. I also like the idea to set the final project target and then work it backwards.

I need a certificate from this certification to pass my course

Unrealistic targets are targets that might be difficult to achieve. Unrealistic target might not be good for the success of the project. If you think that setting super-ambitious target can help your team achieve more than if an optimal target was set, well, this might in reality have adverse effect on the project. Setting unrealistic targets can have a negative impact on the team and the project as a whole. These include: reduced work quality, overrunning cost and the project may not be delivered on time.

cibles irréalistes

Unrealistic target will not conform to the resources (like funds & time) allocated to the project and could disappoint the stakeholders. Because the project cannot attain the desired results.

unrealistic targets are targets are not realistic. this are targets you made without viewing a data that has been previously collected, therefore making unrealistic targets

Un realistic targets like : to reach afull satisfactory level from all custmers.

Survyies

Setting targets too low may be unrealistic as it may create doubt on the part of the donors and ultimately make them reluctant to release the needed funds for the project.

Unrealistic targets will lead to disappointment for the team as well as other stakeholders in the project.

Unrealistic targets are targets that are either far below your potential and very easy to attain or too ambitious targets which are far above your potential.

In the time of setting target we must be realistic as if we will set target that is achievable within project time, that is logical with the situation of the project area and that is important to measure result of the project.

Targets should also be realistic. When we set a target, we are committing our team to reaching that target. If we miss a target because you were unrealistic, everyone involved will end up disappointed: ourselves, our team, and our donors. Unrealistic Targets will not maintain the correct data, information and baseline survey. Inadequate budget is also a unrealistic Targets.

Unrealistic targets are targets who need to be examined very well

It's a fantastic lesson. Refering to USAID's criteras to judging an indicator. It's as if it were a mathematic class. You appreciate by yourself the results of your work.

Unrealistic Target can happen when there is non M&E team involved in design project

Unrealistic Target can happen when there is non M&E team involved in design project

Unrealistic targets are those targets that can not be measured by the indicators provided.

If setting unrealistic targest, it could demotivate team. It could be the first reason of project's failure. Try to set up targets which could be reached. Maybe, later, they could be increased.

My understanding of unrealistic targets

Setting unrealistic targets may include having super ambitious targets to be reached within a short period of time, with no research done and no reliable sources of information such as Expert opinions or having a historical background about your targets. I believe that once one understands the underlying reasons for unrealistic targets, he/she can let go of them or correct them for example adjusting timeline for reaching those targets. Unrealistic targets are usually set by leaders who want aggressive improvement without having seen the baseline data. Therefore it is important to know and understand the baseline data how it relates to existing targets.

Target is the objective a program/intervention is working towards, expressed as a measurable value; the desired value for an indicator at a particular point in time. Target group—specific group of people who are to benefit from the result of the intervention.
Targets orient stakeholders to the tasks to be accomplished and motivate individuals involved in a program to do their best to ensure the targets are met.
There is also different types of targets Intermediate and final , A final target is the planned value of a performance indicator at the end of the project. where as, Intermediate targets should be set for the key points of time in between the baseline and final target .
In general Targets should be realistic, evidence-based, and ambitious. Setting meaningful targets provides staff, implementing partners, and stakeholders with benchmarks to document progress toward achieving results. Targets need to take into account program resources, the implementation period, and the development hypothesis implicit in the results framework.

When setting targets, they must be ambitious but realistic. In setting targets, you utilise baselines and historical trends

Unrealistic targets are those which are set with over achieving goals with unrealistic time duration of achieving the targets.

Unrealistic targets could be targets that are set too high and demoralize the employees because its seems impossible to achieve. Unrealistic targets could show the donors and other partners that you did not achieve what you were set to achieve but in the reality you achieved what was realistic be below your overambitious targets. Some of the consequences of unrealistic targets include waste of resources that if channeled to a realistic goal results could be positive, poor quality of project deliverables, damaged credibility of the organization due to lack of achieving the goals and damaged morale of the employees due to failure to achieve project targets.

Unrealistic targets are those targets that can not be measured by the indicators provided.

This module have helped me to understand the targets, get to understand that the targets can be adjusted as time goes on.

Target is the objective a program/intervention is working towards, expressed as a measurable value; the desired value for an indicator at a particular point in time. Target group—specific group of people who are to benefit from the result of the intervention.
Targets orient stakeholders to the tasks to be accomplished and motivate individuals involved in a program to do their best to ensure the targets are met.
There is also different types of targets Intermediate and final , A final target is the planned value of a performance indicator at the end of the project. where as, Intermediate targets should be set for the key points of time in between the baseline and final target .
In general Targets should be realistic, evidence-based, and ambitious. Setting meaningful targets provides staff, implementing partners, and stakeholders with benchmarks to document progress toward achieving results. Targets need to take into account program resources, the implementation period, and the development hypothesis implicit in the results framework.

To me, targets can never be perfect. That is why they are adjustable. We follow all the criteria given, and data/information available but still end up with unrealistic targets. "Practice makes perfect!"

These are targets that are too optimistic in terms of time, Budget and team capacity

Has setting unrealistic targets affected your productivity before?

Unrealistic targets can be adjusted to realistic targets

Targets must be realistic but optimistic and ambitious, that can be achievable within the expected timeline and budget.
Setting unrealistic targets make the team feel like they are not achieving, and lower staff morale.
This will show that the project is not achieving the expected results in each stage, of the log frame.
This may result overspending of budgets, high workload for the staff, unnecessary administrative costs, disputes between the team, beneficiaries and make donners unhappy.
Unachievable targets may damage the long-term reputation of the organisation.
This sometimes can be a positive way of getting team more concentrated to work and think of creative strategies to overcome it.

unrealistic or setting a higher target that capacity will lead to disappointment of all stakeholders so its aleways important to have a discussion with everyone, collect baseline data and set targets based on that

i agree to your point as well

sometimes i do affect at our crucial times

one can never be perfect but can be better than yesterday

yes, time duration is also an important factor in setting up unrealistic targets

Unrealistic targets are targets which are not achievable due to many underlying factors which may include constrain on budgets, peculiarities of the intervention and the response of the host community.

The love of targeting the best mode.

Unrealistic targets do is not specific.
It also has no room for adjustment.
It also set without doing enough research for instance, failing to get information from stakeholders, experts, past records among others

Surely, the targets shows us the specific point we want to reach

When setting targets one should be careful to not set unrealistic targets. Targets will be considered unrealistic if they are not set within the set funding by the donor. If the targets exceed the set budgets , they will be considered as unrealistic targets. Targets will also be considered as unrealistic if they are not within the scope of the project, this will definitely affect the project because it will not be able to achieve its goal. When the target audience is changed, then the targets will definitely become unrealistic.

It is clear that the setting of unrealistic targets is likely to cause some negative effect on the project in terms of quality for example whereby efforts are focused on achieving high numbers rather than focusing on the quality of the impact.

Unrealistic targets can truncate an idea even before it is implemented. I love this course it has deeply opened my eyes

These are targets that could be too difficult to attain at the end of the day

Unrealistic goal could be handled by adjusting your approach

When one is faced with unrealistic target, the best thing to do is to be calm

assess your working practices

To solve unrealistic goal you have to speak-up and open up

This is nice

Unrealistic targets are like a soldier firing at his unit with a weapon

With unrealistic targets an organization could never move on

Unrealistics targets can be often due to being too pessimistic approach, hence putting too low targets. On the other hand, if one is over ambitious, then the targets may be too high. Targets need to be SMART, Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time bound

I once experienced unrealistic targets. My first project set a target to move a whole village of poverty. in the end even one person could not be moved out of poverty

In this module, you will learn how to:

Describe what performance indicators are and give examples of how they contribute to an M&E plan

Evaluate the characteristics of performance indicators

Identify indicators for your own project

Apply appropriate methods for setting accurate targets for your own project

Develop an Indicators Document for your M&E plan

Unrealistic targets means that one do not recognize the truth about a situation, especially about the difficulties involved in something or the target they want to achieve. In other words it means setting of targets that are not possible or difficult to achieve within the set duration of time. It is the target set by the optimistic mind based on the emotions involved rather than the baseline data collection. The term unrealistic means not accepting or showing the things as they are. It is something hypothetical, imaginery and based on one's prediction or speculation and has no reliability or validity to get achieved as a target.

Unrealistic targets are targets that do not recognise the truth about a situation especially about the difficulties involved in somethings that is not to be achieved.

Unrealistic targets will always make the project fail.

When you set an unrealistic target chances are your project will not be successful because you will fail to meet the unrealisti target

I had experience with unrealistic targets.
We had a project that we could not achieve most of its targets, it is was cholera response, we set targets, but the first month of our intervention was progressing very fine, through our intervention were able to limit cholera very fast, due to disappearing cholera in selected district, so we achieved the project goal, but most of our targets could not be achieved.

Unrealistic targets will not help you measure the intended outcomes. In the project planning stage, clear targets should be identified and as much as possible achievable by the concerned.

Unrealistic target causes sets back and you cant achieve the goak

When you set an unrealistic target chances are your project will not be successful because you will fail to meet the unrealistic target

When you have unrealistic targets it becomes a problem to get or reach your results. This could lead to disappointments, frustrations and feeling of failure which could lead likely quiting.

Unrealistic targets also have a way of demotivating the staff and affecting team morale so it is indeed important to set realistic targets and avoid biases.

Unrealistic targets are those targets that are set but very difficult to accomplish it according to the program implementation