My Communities

What are examples of unrealistic goals?
Here are a few examples of unrealistic goals:
Financial goal – to earn a million dollars in a year.
Weight loss goal – to quickly burn the fat through exercise.
Business goal – to build a multi-million-dollar business in a year.
Sports goal – to run faster than Usain Bolt or to play in the NBA.

Unrealistic targets are the ones which would appear realistic if we didn't zero down our expectations.
It's very important we set targets will can be achieved without our logframe. It's always good if time for starting a project is affected, we must adjust the start up day as well so that it would never affect our Target.

Wonderful simplification.

The examples of unrealistic targets include the following below. These examples are never limited to organizations only.
1- Planning for money not at hands.
2- Wanting to marry yet you don't have whom to propose to.

I think unrealistic targets maybe those targets that maybe hard for your project to achieve i.e. unachievable targets. this may be so because of the available resources, and lack of enough data (evidence) to help you set the targets. For example you set a target of buying 20,000 computers by the end of September yet the money you have at hand cannot purchase the computers.

I think unrealistic targets maybe those targets that maybe hard for your project to achieve i.e. unachievable targets. this may be so because of the available resources, and lack of enough data (evidence) to help you set the targets. Forexample you set a target of buying 20,000 computers by the end of september yet the money you have at hand cannot purchase the computers.

I took the survey. What else should I be doing ? I see no other requirement.

Unrealistic targets can disappoint the team at the end of the project. They should be avoided by setting targets basing on facts and data collected or from other finished projects. Also putting resources and time available for the project should not be ignored.

By collecting data from other organization which have ever done the same project.
Also by considering the historical trends of the project baseline.

If you say that someone is being unrealistic, you mean that they do not recognize the truth about a situation, especially about the difficulties involved in something they want to achieve.

As we've seen in this module, unrealistic targets are more likely fruits of personal biases,mostly in over-optimistic context. But it can also be the results of high competitivity in certain cases.

Mistake 1: Setting Unrealistic Goals
When you're exploring possible goals, you need to unleash your imagination and ambition, put your reservations aside, and dream big dreams. However, once you've decided on a goal, make sure that it is realistic, and that you can actually achieve it in the time frame that you have set for yourself.

Living a life without setting goals is like sailing a ship without having planned a course: you're likely to end up somewhere that you wouldn't want to go! This is why you need to set goals to develop yourself and achieve your dreams.

Unrealistic Targets

The term target may be discussed as the level that a project will meet by a given timeframe and the commitment to reach a specific result. Notably, an exercise to set project targets can be powerful. It helps to motivate a team, an understanding of the target set will also help achieve success. Hence, setting a realistic target is very important.
We must also understand how to express targets, setting target goals, know when and how the target can be adjusted, the art of setting ambitious yet realistic targets. Nevertheless, let us look at unrealistic targets in detail: A target maybe discussed, as been unrealistic when a target set, the team is committed to reaching the set target; regardless of all the efforts, the target missed. The set targets can also lead to the achievement of success the team and other stakeholders become demotivated and disappointed.
Setting targets form a part of group norms. Therefore, to avoid setting an unrealistic target, we must consider "the setting of ambitious yet realistic targets." It is not an easy task but a tricky task. We must try to set realistic targets like M&E Experts, using not our perception or feeling to set targets. More so using baseline data, historical trends, Expert opinions, Research, the expectations of stakeholders, and result-based budgeting tools. Further, this will alleviate biases and assumptions.
Moreover, avoiding the setting of unrealistic targets can be done in the following ways:

1. Review previous implementation plans.
2. Examine the inputs or resources needed or available
3. Setting New Targets: consider what are the risk and assumptions and weigh the consequences—set the midline
4. Benchmarking
5. Incentive targets for staff
6. Go back and adjust if and when required to do so (PDCA)

As we set targets, we should make consideration of various factors such as the available resources, requirements by our donors and team members. This will ensure that our targets are realistic as possible.
Unrealistic targets it's like when you set your target too low or when you over exceed target expectations, making it difficult to achieve the targets.

When you don't have resources such as time and funds to meet the target

Targets too high or too low for achieving

Unrealistic targets are those that are either too low or too high (over ambitious). Such targets will make you not measure your project outcomes or impact objectively as they may give a false sense of success and/or failure. To avoid setting unrealistic targets it always important to have a basis for setting your targets that is objective and free of bias like evidence from research, expert opinion, historical trends and so on.

Unrealistic target setting is another problem, where the junior field staff is not involved in setting the targets. Lack of
systematic work planning for field staff thwarts the purposes for which extension is aimed at achieving, that is, transfer of agricultural technical information to the end users, who are the smallholders farmers.

What are the steps involved in creating tools for data collections

"l'objectifs doit être ambicieux mais réaliste" de ce fait, faut-ils reviser les objectifs annuellement?

Setting of targets is of utmost importance with respect to program/project design. In the strict sense, a design is invalid if there are no clear targets (Unrealistic Targets). Targets also have to be time-bound. Setting of targets also needs to be done in different ways for monitoring level and evaluation level respectively.

In my experience, even more important than setting a realistic yet ambitious target is the PROCESS of discussing and agreeing on targets; it often leads to discussions among stakeholders that reveal a very different understanding and level of expectation what success looks like.

Target should be realistic, clear and ambitious
Setting of targets is of utmost importance with respect to program/project design. In the strict sense, a design is invalid if there are no clear targets (Unrealistic Targets). Targets also have to be time-bound. Setting of targets also needs to be done in different ways for monitoring level and evaluation level respectively.

In my experience, even more important than setting a realistic yet ambitious target is the PROCESS of discussing and agreeing on targets; it often leads to discussions among stakeholders that reveal a very different understanding and level of expectation what success looks like.

Target should be realistic, ambitious, and clear
Setting of targets is of utmost importance with respect to program/project design. In the strict sense, a design is invalid if there are no clear targets (Unrealistic Targets). Targets also have to be time-bound. Setting of targets also needs to be done in different ways for monitoring level and evaluation level respectively.

In my experience, even more important than setting a realistic yet ambitious target is the PROCESS of discussing and agreeing on targets; it often leads to discussions among stakeholders that reveal a very different understanding and level of expectation what success looks like.

If you fine on the middle of your project that the targets are unrealistic ,you need immediately to adjust tgem.

Unrealistic targets usually arise from the zeal and efforts put into achieving great exceptional results as a way of getting to entice the donors or clients into providing sufficient funds for execution of a given project and this has led to collapse of many projects in Uganda. This is a very common practice in the Low developing countries like Uganda. However from this course, I have learned that we can always create a balance between unrealistic and Practical elements of the targets set for the proper achievement of our different projects.

There are many types of people that one meets throughout the course of a lifetime. Some are strivers while others are survivors; some are achievers while others are believers; some are thinkers while others are experiencers and some are makers while others are dreamers. But there is one thing that they all have in common.

Creating your own indicators rather than using a standard indicator when one exists. That can help on setting targets that are realistic and achievable.

It makes a lot of sense that setting targets is a tricky task because if you set too high of targets, it may lead to failure to some capacity but if you set too low of targets, donors may not be as supportive and/or historical trends may already be indicating that the target that you set is on the horizon anyways.

I need more explanation on how to select strong indicators for my project.

Unrealistic targets are mainly those that cannot be met either due to project budget constraints, project duration and or historical factors.

unrealistic targets have a direct effect on the performance of the project

is the sucess depend the target?

really? and about target?

Unrealistic targets, simply means setting up targets that might not be achieved. Examples, total number of clients who will return to care that to pick up their drugs for refill. Definitely it won't work. There will always be a missed appointment or interruption in treatment (IIT). To achieved Case managers will have to be employed to help track this clients back to care which this will involved capital. Also setting a target that out of 3,000 HIV/AIDS clients on treatment all of their viral load simple will be suppress. It might be possible

I see no posts in this discussion. Everything is blank!

Thank you PU for the good lessons concerning the Targets and indicators.
specifically targets are the levels that we want to meet in our projects in a certain time.
they should go in hand with time and be more specific, but if otherwise it means they are not realistic.
on top of that the unrealistic targets they are not quantitative-dont state numbers of outcomes, not qualitative-dont analyze in detail and if so they are not efficient relating to resources means they are not useful for the project.

It has helped me choose my indicators and set realistic targets

Unrealistic targets are targets that can't be achieved either because of funds, time etc. Unrealistic targets is either shooting below or aiming to hight

Suppose a target is set that appears unrealistic, then, at the end of the project (by chance or commitment by team members) the target is achieved. Will this achievement change our perspective on the target?

Nice explanation. Disaggregating unrealistic targets have brought out a clear understanding.

Target setting can be the most confusing thing for any development organisation, particularly because our work is mostly about creating change. It is critical to always know what you can achieve based on the budget of your project. Donars can sometimes set unrealistic targets because they want to achieve more with less. Targets are a good way to know if you are on the right course. The saying goes, you cannot manage what you do not measure.

Targets should be determined and supported by research on the previous situation (month by month / year by year, etc.) which can be accessed by governments publications, other CSO's reports on the cases etc. If the target is too ambitious, that shows that the research on the case was not done properly, and we are not aware of the realities of the geographical region, demographics, history of the situation etc. and since it is ambitious / not realistic, it most probably will not be reached , hence the motivation of the staff will go down during and after the project / they will feel like they failed the donors as well as the beneficiaries. Therefore, we should set realistic targets, which can be figured out from looking into previous similar programs, government agencies' or other development organizations' reports or findings, and historical trends can be followed in order to set up realistic targets.

How can one set targets that would not be too ambitious?

so at times we miss judge our targets by creating this unrealistic targets and at the end of the day we cant reach them and our projects fail

Unrealistic situation: this it means the project is not covered by the truth, thus the project it is not reflect the actual picture.

everything is ok

how we we review our targets sat early if risk happend during project.

Unrealistic targets are not an indicator of ambition, they are indicators of poor planning

It’s okay set high or ambitious targets as long as it’s realistic, taking into accoubf your inputs.

Unrealistic targets, leads to damage the objective of the project.
The people engaged in the project will be biased in achievement of the target though it is not achievable, leads to manipulation of the real data.
Secondly, when the evaluation conducted, these will be creating embarrassing situation while looking the data and work, ultimately damaging the project impact.

Setting unrealistic targets means that it is increasingly unlikely for your team to achieve them, and the best way to avoid this is by using data this way, you are ensured that you are not letting your biases and assumptions affect your decision making. it is pertinent you set realistic targets it is easier for your team to work in accordance to achieving them. When you set a target you are committing your team to reaching that target, if you miss it because you were unrealistic everyone involved gets disappointed; yourself, the team and your donors.

Targets to be set with reliable resources like, from base line survey, evidence based historical or research, local data with evidences.
If unrealistic targets set in by an organization, that will crate an embarrassing situation for all who are engaged to achieve the targets.
There will be conflictions between field staff and middle management.
It may leads to have biased data or cooked data which is not reliable and non trust worthy.
while doing evaluation, it will effect the real achievement and the project may land in a unfavorable situation.
Also decisions may be effected as per the data captured.
Hence, the targets to be sent as per the process and feasibility will respect to ground realities

Targets must be realistic and this is done by engaging all stakeholders in the process

Unrealistic goals are goals that have been set, yet they are almost impossible to achieve

If you set unrealistic target (high target), and then you performed below your target you will be disappointed that could come from missing your target. Therefore it is better to come up with baseline survey and then setting the realistic target for your projects.

Targets are the planned value of a performance indicator at the end of the planning period. They are usually quantitative but they can however be qualitative, depending on their indicators. Sometimes is it necessary to develop benchmarks in order to track planned progress. Targets need to be realistic in relation to factors like availability of resources e.g. time, money and personnel. Unrealistic targets jeopardize the progress of a project. They make it hard for the project to attain its overall goal and other goals that were set in the midst of it. These unrealistic targets may also lead to a waste of resources which may in turn dissapoint the relevant stakeholders of the project.

Unrealistic targets are those which would be impossible to achieve. This would be due to project planners being too ambitious. Not taking into consideration the resources available for the project and not doing adequate baseline research.
Unrealistic targets will lead to failure of the project to realize it's goals.

Nicely explained, unrealistic targets also indicates lack of proper preparation, because with proper baseline research and evaluation targets would be set more realistically.

Unrealistic targets will lead to a project's failure to realize it's goals and loss of donor confidence.

The setting of unattainable targets can, therefore, constitute bullying, and could result in an employee feeling pressurised enough to walk out of their job. Setting unrealistic expectations means that it’s increasingly unlikely that your team will be able to achieve them. If your team regularly misses targets, this could lead to questions raised from your own manager, asking why your team are underachieving. Staff often get a buzz from hitting their targets. 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.

Unrealistic targets have an effect of demotivating the team and beneficiaries at the end of your project. So it is important to set realistic but ambitious targets thereby avoid the unrealistic targets.

Unrealistic targets are targets that are set but are impossible to achieve. Even though we are to set ambitious targets, however, it is very pertinent to set ambitious but realistic targets that can be measured and achievable. So it is important to follow to a reasonable extent the laid down principles when setting a target.

Its always good to be ambitious when setting your targets. It impresses those funding the project and relevant stakeholders. However, it is also dangerous being unrealistic. Unrealistic targets may lead to a waste of resources, which will eventually disappoint the donors and stakeholders you wanted to impress in the first place

Well, this is not easy. However, this is very possible. There is first of all a need to understand what the donors and all relevant stakeholders of the project are looking for. After that is understood, there is also need to see if the resources allocated for the project are adequate in line with the ultimate goal. These aspects understood properly will lessen the burden of picking targets that are not realistic

Setting ambitious yet realistic targets is a good M&E Practice. Ambitious targets motivates the project team to work more towards realisation of those set targets

it is very important to set realistic goals because unrealistic goals exhaust us and in the end we work hard to achieve nothing

Unrealistic targets are more or less bogus targets not backed my proper data. Targets like these are most times farfetched and geered towards cornering donors into buying their ideas in a heartbeat.

it will make you stuck and hard to carry the progress of your project ahead

If you say that someone is being unrealistic, you mean that they do not recognize the truth about a situation, especially about the difficulties involved in something they want to achieve. Sometimes, unrealistic goals can turn into reality if you get to work, thinking out of the box , creating massive accountability and giving more time to yourself and to the project.
These can be ambitious targets, that are not practical and feasible and most times they are difficult to measure and even evaluate.

Targets are flexible and should be reviewed intermittently during the course of the project or if some unforeseen risks were encountered. Targets should also be SMART(Simple, measurable, achievable/attainable, realistic and time bound), that way we avoid setting unrealistic targets.

Unrealistic targets are those targets which we can not achieve at the end of the project. They can be expressed as targets which are poorly created without considering the existing situation of the project. Unrealistic targets consume budgets, human efforts, and time for unachievable objectives.

There is a thin line between realistic and unrealistic targets, hence every target should be vastly researched and data driven.

Targets should be set in accourdance with the ressources available and all the risks.

that they would like you to reach.
Project Budget: Your budget will determine what you are able to do. For example, you might want to distribute 80,000 mosquito nets, but only have the funds to purchase 40,000.
You may not have access to all of these types of information when you set your targets.

when we set unrealistic target we are not considering what is on the ground. we simply set the target with our assumption which is absolutely wrong.

These are targets that are overly ambitious, the resources available maybe less compared to the target set.

Good discussion Dr

Good discussion Dr

Unrealistic targets are too ambitious or underated, not based on historical trends. There is no deadline set for the target.

Unrealistic targets are too ambitious or underated, not based on historical trends. There is no deadline set for the target.

Right discussion

they are not based on the truth of a situation, in particular on the difficulties linked to the activities to be carried out.

Unrealistic targets are unlikely to be achieved by the team.
This is as a result of lack of careful planning, inaccurate estimation of costs, resources and time required.

I find what the gentleman in the video mentions (setting targets with the consideration that all risks happened or the assumptions turned out not to be true.) I think this can help a planner make more realistic targets.

Indicators should meet all the seven criteria from USAID.
Data collection methods include surveys, focus groups, interviews, observations, document review, laboratory measurements, community workshop.
The data management processes include data collection, data entry and collation, data analysis, verification and storage and data use.

Unrealistic targets are targets set that do not take congnisance of baseline characteristics, historical records and trends

These are targets that are too ambitious than your capabilities, and resources available.

setting unrealistic targets might be danger because we can let donw the donors, stakeholders, and the beneficiareas of the project by not delivering the services or products of our project.

Unrealistic target happened when we set the target too low or too high. It is often caused by lack of baseline data and or too ambitious on reaching the goal.

Setting unrealistic targets is detrimental to achieving project indicators, sometimes if you set overambitious targets, the evaluation will measure that the project has failed, hence indeed it is important to set realistic targets and SMART indicators

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

Unrealistic targets can be those targets that do not recognize the truth about the situation. It’s difficult to measure such targets. Therefore, it’s important to set targets in order to make them realistic and achievable during the project implementation.

The module is well understood.

Unrealistic target is an activity or programming doesn't have specific numbers beneficiaries to support.

Unrealistic targets are targets set that are not realistic or not easy to achieve. Making unrealistic targets gives room for demotivation on the part of everyone who is involved in the project from donors,team members and yourself included. Hence when making targets it is important to use data and not emotions or feelings in order to avoid bias or assumptions influence decisions made

Targets always have to be realistic and if unable to meet you can always review and reset as time progresses.

How can someone readily identify unrealistic targets in project designs?

Unrealistic targets will distort the smooth flow of the project in several dimensions and cumulatively will lower team morale.

Unrealistic targets are something that impossible to achieve it
It is unlikely that your team will achieve a certain target within a specific period of time.

I think the target determines the direction of the direction of project. Therefore care must be taken when setting targets. Avoid being over ambitious but ambitious enough and realistic. Even the number of targets matters a lot. Its vital to set a few target which you can achieve, that to have a forest of targets that you cannot achieve.A failed target, means a failed project and failed funding from donor as well as wasted energy and resources.