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Unrealistic goals are goals that are not attainable, doable, or practical. These goals are set by individuals or teams with unrealistic expectations of their abilities and potential. They set overly ambitious, unrealistic goals, and frequently impossible to meet.
Practice setting and enforcing boundaries. ...
Consider your supervisor's intentions. ...
Solicit help from your coworkers to reach goals. ...
Meet with your supervisor and offer feedback. ...
Create a workflow timeline that can help you succeed.

A urealistic target is one that can be met with the resources you have available to you. Resources might include time, money or access to other people to help you. The target should also be relevant and useful to you. For example: Unrealistic: I'm going to read 30 books on astronomy by tomorrow.

Unrealistic Targets are made most times when there is no access to adequate information. Unrealistic Targets are also most likely made in project providing new type of services because of lack of baseline for comparism. However since there is room for Targets to be adjusted, Updating and reviewing the Log frame at intervals should guide in adjusting Target in the course of the implementation of the project.

You are very right. However watching the video on Setting Target, It was explicitly stated that in setting target, Risk and assumption should also be put into consideration.

you have try to avoid unrealistic target because if your target is not realistic then you may end up disappointment

you have try to avoid unrealistic target because if your target is not realistic then you may end up disappointment

we have to avoid unrealistic target otherwise we may end up disappointment

Its really clear, learnable and interesting.

Realistic is target that is unachievable.

what is a midline targets?

what is a midline targets?

Unrealistic targets are targets that don't align with the indicators, these targets portray a different message from the indicators. They are also targets that are made without consideration of reliable data. These targets are unrealistic making them unreachable.

Unrealistic can only lead to confusion

Unrealistic targets can lead to project conflicts

Most project failures are as a results of having unrealistic targets

Unrealistic targets are a cause ,

unrealistic targets are targets that are not attainable, doable or practical

To me personally, the issue of unrealistic objectives are those that we should not include to achieve certain goals set or achieved at the end of the project, that is to say that defining unrealistic objectives for our project will not motivate both the donor partners as well as the project team itself. I have to confirm here that it is not necessary to define unrealistic objectives at any time for our project.

unrealistic targets are targets that are not attainable, doable or practical

unrealistic targets are targets that are not attainable, doable or practical

Setting unrealistic targets, you will be shooting yourself down. if targets are too high you will fail to meet them and at the end you fail to achieve the objectives. if too low there are chances of sub standard and the donors may fail to see the value for money.

unrealistic targets are not practical and achievable. you or you team will not able to achieve them

100% of community members reche with oral health education within three months in Tanzania

Unrealistic targets can lead to disappointment for the whole team. It is good to set ambitious but realistic targets which can be adjusted according to the available resources. Set targets by looking at reliable sources, collecting data or starting at zero. Historical trends can also help in setting realistic targets.

Some times the reason for unrealistic targets might be to impress the donors and maybe get more funding.

puts workers under alot of stress

Unrealistic targets are goals that are set so high that they are almost impossible to achieve. These targets can be detrimental to an individual, team, or organization because they often lead to stress, burnout, and a decrease in motivation.

If you are a starting your NGO from scratch whitout any resource to get access on how to set a good target, what alternative do you have to do not set unrealistic targets ?

Unrealistic targets can result in several negative consequences;
They can lead to inaccurate measurements and skewed data. When targets are set too high, it can be difficult to accurately assess progress, as it may not reflect the reality of the situation on the ground. This can lead to inaccurate reporting, which can ultimately undermine the credibility of the M&E process.

Unrealistic targets can lead to demotivation among program staff. When staff are expected to achieve targets that are unattainable, it can lead to frustration and a sense of failure. This can result in staff disengagement, which can ultimately lead to program failure.

Unrealistic targets can hinder the ability of M&E to accurately assess the effectiveness of a program or project. When targets are set too high, it can be difficult to determine whether the program or project is effective or not. This can lead to an inaccurate assessment of the impact of the program or project, which can ultimately result in a misallocation of resources.
To avoid unrealistic targets in M&E, it is important to set realistic and achievable targets based on a thorough understanding of the context in which the program or project is implemented. This can be achieved through careful planning and consultation with stakeholders, including program staff and beneficiaries. Additionally, it is important to regularly review targets and adjust them as necessary based on progress and changes in the context. By setting realistic targets and regularly reviewing progress, M&E can effectively measure the success of a program or project and make informed decisions about its future direction.

Unrealistic targets can lead to demotivation among program staff. When staff are expected to achieve targets that are unattainable, it can lead to frustration and a sense of failure. This can result in staff disengagement, which can ultimately lead to program failure.

unrealistic targets can hinder the ability of M&E to accurately assess the effectiveness of a program or project. When targets are set too high, it can be difficult to determine whether the program or project is effective or not. This can lead to an inaccurate assessment of the impact of the program or project, which can ultimately result in a misallocation of resources.

Its always good to set targets which the team can achieve.

I have noticed that some of the targets set by the M&E Team are unrealistic and may not be fully/partially fulfilled.
How do we tackle the situation.

I have been in a similar situation where we offered training to a specific segment for a specific course, but the participants wanted careers in other fields. Half way the training program, it felt like the target audience, the targets, everything needs to be revised from scratch.

UNREALISTIC TARGETS

Hallo every one on this platform am seeking to learning more on this module about identifying indicators since i started i failed to understand it well so incase any has more ideas he/she can share with me

Unrealistic target are those target which are not clearly specified. Measurability is vague, the scope and scale is to big that are not feasible to be completed within the specified timeline.

Unrealistic targets are target that may not be achievable due to short time frame given, people on the ground are not consulted about the targets needed for the implementation.

I think setting targets can be an overwhelming process if the objectives and the indicators are not clearly defined from the offset. Meanwhile, what is most helpful in the process of setting targets is reviewing the M & E reports of previous projects from likeminded organization. The experience and data from other reports can provide insight to your design.

Data collection tools can protect the integrity of your research, allowing you to identify and resolve discrepancies before drawing conclusions. Providing references for future projects: The storage capabilities of data collection programs can enable you to save your work and reference them for future projects.
Data Management its also the Process of collecting, analyzing, safeguarding and storing data.

reaching targets its about the success

Interesting section about unrealistic targets. I was a little surprised at how the course noted that it was acceptable to change targets (perhaps downward if conditions necessitate it) as necessary. I'm assuming that USAID would approve the original targets, so I would think that USAID would have to approve any reduction in the targets. I liked Peter's idea of creating targets that are somewhere between a non-risk environment and a risk-filled environment.

Unrealistic targets can look achievable but not considering the efforts , inputs and the other assumptions taken in consideration.

They are sometime conceived as difficult task to do after intervening each target and paying keenly attention to details of each target set.

unrealistic Targets are the targets which are unachievable by the project and project objectives.

Unrealistic targets leads to lack of careful planning, inaccurate estimation of cost and also ineffective communication between all the participants involved in the project.
To avoid unrealistic targets one should practice setting and enforcing boundaries and also create workflow timeline that can help the organisation succeed.
Unrealistic targets if not taken with care can lead to disappointment to donors and frustration.

Unrealistic targets leads to lack of careful planning, inaccurate estimation of cost and also ineffective communication between all the participants involved in the project.
To avoid unrealistic targets one should practice setting and enforcing boundaries and also create workflow timeline that can help the organisation succeed.
Unrealistic targets if not taken with care can lead to disappointment to donors and frustration.

A question is not showing up on my screen. However, Unrealistic targets is a topic I'm interested in. How do M&E practitioners effectively set targets without letting thoughts/feelings/preconceived notions influence their decisions?

A question is not showing up on my screen. However, Unrealistic targets is a topic I'm interested in. How do M&E practitioners effectively set targets without letting thoughts/feelings/preconceived notions influence their decisions?

These are targets set without proper formative research done by the principal researcher. They might by internal or externally implicated by the donor or stakeholders. Thus it is necessary to breakdown the main target to first quarter and mid term so as to keep in check on whether to adjust the main targets based on funding availability and other inevitable factors.

Unrealistic targets will most likely be advised by being too overoptimistic or relying too much on our biases. Setting unrealistic targets will likely lead to disapointing outcomes since it will not materialise. setting unrealistic targets poses a danger to the organisation in form of demotivated staff, unhappy donors and demoralised managers.

Unrealistic targets can put too much pressure on the team, bringing about stress, unproductivity, and a lack of creativity to propose solutions. It is best when our targets are more reachable, yet ambitious enough to provide a much-needed nudge to reach an outstanding level.

Unrealistic targets might include timelines that are too short or too long. It is important to consider building additional time, as a safeguard, in the event of unforeseen circumstances.

Unrealistic goals are goals that are not attainable, doable, or practical. These goals are set by individuals or teams with unrealistic expectations of their abilities and potential. They set overly ambitious, unrealistic goals, and frequently impossible to mee

I think setting unrealistic targets can be a daunting task and selecting the right data source to serve as your baseline is crucial to the success or failure of your project. Nonetheless, since targets can be adjusted setting unrealistic targets from baseline might not be such a bad thing. I believe the a margin of unrealistic targets should be included in your targets to push your team to be high achieving. But close attention must be paid to unrealistic target and be adjusted as and when it is needed.

There should be a distinction between ambitious targets and unrealistic targets. Ambitious targets will motivate your team to work hard and reach for success and unrealistic targets will disappoint you and your team, when they inevitably can't be reached. It is therefore of utmost importance to do adequate research when setting targets because without properly doing research you may set unrealistic targets.

Unrealistic Targets are targets that are either Over ambitious or too low.This are targets that are not informed any baseline data

Unrealistic targets are those that are too ambiguous, very difficult to reach and thus would entail an unending project time line.

Unrealistic targets can be a major challenge for projects as they can lead to a number of issues. For example, if targets are set too high or are not based on realistic assumptions, it can create undue pressure on project teams and may result in unrealistic expectations from stakeholders. This can lead to frustration and burnout among team members, and can also lead to a loss of credibility and trust with stakeholders if targets are consistently missed.

Furthermore, unrealistic targets can also result in misallocation of resources, as teams may focus on achieving targets at the expense of other important activities or outcomes. This can ultimately undermine the success of the project and prevent it from achieving its intended impact.

To avoid setting unrealistic targets, it is important to base targets on realistic assumptions and to involve all relevant stakeholders in the target-setting process. It's also important to regularly monitor progress and adjust targets as needed based on changing circumstances and feedback. This can help ensure that targets are achievable and relevant, and can help maintain momentum and motivation among project teams and stakeholders.

unrealistic targets are goals that are not attainable, doable or practical, many factors contribute to goals being unrealistic one being finances, with limited finances one cannot set targets that will spend more than what has been budgeted for. Such goals force you to work harder than ever to achieve them but ultimately lead to frustration and failure. most unrealistic targets are set using feelings and not data and thus our assumption influences the decision. They can be expensive, illogical, and time-consuming. In short, unrealistic goals require an unrealistic level of dedication and commitment from individuals and teams. It leads to frustration, disappointment, and even burnout for those setting them

Setting unrealistic targets is definitely increasing your chances of failure.

Setting targets is really tricky especially if funders of your project also have their own targets in mind. In times, they want to set targets based what they want to achieve but it is us who implements the project on-ground who knows the community and the beneficiaries better. So it is very important to sit down with the funders and explain why you have to set a more realistic target, which may be lower or different from their initial targets.

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It is easy to confuse biases and assumptions when setting targets without data. I have learnt to use data and facts to set targets for m local projects.

Unrealistic targets are a common problem in monitoring and evaluation, and as an expert in this field, it is important to recognize their potential negative impact on programs and projects. Unrealistic targets are those that are set too high, without taking into account the resources, capacity, and external factors that may influence their achievement.

When unrealistic targets are set, it can create several problems. First, it can demotivate project staff and stakeholders who may feel that they are being set up for failure. This can lead to a lack of engagement and commitment to the project, which can ultimately impact its success. Second, unrealistic targets can lead to inaccurate reporting of progress and achievement, as staff may feel pressure to meet targets even if they are not realistic. This can result in misleading data and misinterpretation of program results. Finally, unrealistic targets can lead to a waste of resources, as efforts are focused on trying to achieve unattainable targets, rather than focusing on achievable and meaningful results.

As a monitoring and evaluation expert, it is important to work with project teams to set realistic targets that take into account the resources, capacity, and external factors that may impact their achievement. This involves a thorough analysis of the context, including a review of the available resources, stakeholder needs, and external factors that may influence the project. This analysis can help to inform the development of targets that are achievable, relevant, and meaningful.

In addition to setting realistic targets, it is important to monitor progress towards these targets regularly and adjust them as needed. This requires ongoing data collection and analysis, as well as stakeholder engagement to ensure that the project remains on track and that adjustments are made in a timely manner.

In conclusion, unrealistic targets can have a negative impact on programs and projects, and it is important for monitoring and evaluation experts to work with project teams to set realistic targets that are achievable, relevant, and meaningful. This requires a thorough analysis of the context, ongoing monitoring of progress, and stakeholder engagement to ensure that the project remains on track.

I find unrealistic targets more of a starting point before people start adjusting to the most achievable. I think they should be discussed inorder for the team to think more before it gets easier though it runs a risk of taking some time.

setting too high targets will always demotivate the team and can even have negative effects on the future projects.

setting too high targets will always demotivate the team and can even have negative effects on the future projects.

unrealistic targets are a recipe for disaster.

Unrealistic targets refers to targets which may not be achieved or net for a number of reasons:
Targets are unrealistic if the resources are not enough, if are not adjusted due to risks.
Targets can also be unrealistic if no adequate data, expert opinion, donor expectation are not sought

As far as targets go, during my most recent project I learned about the importance of having good baseline and good indicators; we went into the project without reliable baseline data, which made it difficult to develop good indicators and good targets. We are just now getting to the point where this is feasible. Overall, this project has taught me a lot about indicators and targets, and this module has helped clarify things.

What would be our unrealistic targets?
If we use our biases, feelings and assumptions. If we do not have any data before setting our target like the baseline, historical trends, or if we do not collect adequate information about the project.
Risk management is also very important, we have to consider the risks when we are implementing our project and based on these risks we have to set our ambitious and realistic target.

Unrealistic targets are unattainable, ambiguous and unclear target.

setting unrealistic targets can cause projects to fail as a lot of resources and and time would be invested to no avail

Good planning

Some times the reason for unrealistic targets might be to impress the donors and maybe get more funding.

Unrealistic targets can lead to disappointment for the whole team. It is good to set ambitious but realistic targets which can be adjusted according to the available resources. Set targets by looking at reliable sources, collecting data or starting at zero. Historical trends can also help in setting realistic targets.

Right now our target demographic is too broad and unrealistic. It's difficult to measure impacts.

Right now, our project's targets are too broad, makes it hard and difficult to measure the impact.

Our target demographic is too broad; makes it difficult and unrealistic to measure the impact.

Our target demographic is too broad; makes it difficult and unrealistic to measure the impact.

Some of the examples of setting unrealistic targets are:
-Trying to reach target demographics that's to broad
-Unmeasurable, vague targets such as: eliminating poverty
-Trying to get many participations in a short period

What is the unrealistic target and how we avoid such targets

Right now our target demographic is too broad and unrealistic. It's difficult to measure impacts.

Unrealistic targets can have detrimental effects on individuals, teams, and organizations as a whole.
The Negative Impact of Unrealistic Targets:

1. Employee Demotivation:
   When individuals are faced with unattainable targets, they may become demotivated and disengaged. The constant pressure to achieve unrealistic goals can lead to stress, burnout, and a decline in productivity. Employees may feel that their efforts are in vain, resulting in decreased job satisfaction and a high turnover rate.

2. Undermining Quality and Innovation:
   Unrealistic targets often prioritize quantity over quality and discourage risk-taking and innovation. Employees may resort to shortcuts or compromise on standards to meet the imposed deadlines or metrics. This can have severe consequences for the overall reputation and long-term success of an organization.

3. Damage to Employee Well-being:
   Unrealistic targets can negatively impact the well-being of employees. The constant pursuit of unattainable goals can lead to increased stress levels, anxiety, and even physical health problems. Employees may sacrifice work-life balance and personal relationships in an attempt to meet unrealistic demands, resulting in an unhealthy work environment.

Unrealistic targets can lead to employee demotivation, compromised quality, and adverse effects on well-being. By setting realistic goals, fostering effective communication, promoting adaptability, and recognizing progress, organizations can create a supportive environment that encourages both individual and organizational success. Ultimately, a balanced approach to target setting is essential for sustainable growth and long-term prosperity.

Yes and Great

What we should avoid is being over ambitious(which in other scenarios might be a good thing) as being over ambitious leads us setting unrealistic targets.

Before setting a target we should look into a few aspects to avoid setting unrealistic targets.

These are
Your target should be much in line with the project budget. You can't set a target that will lead you to overspend or go over your project budget.

Set a baseline first. You could look through previous projects that were done before or you could gather data and analyze to see if you can reach a certain target.

Also if your donor sets your target for you regardless if it's being realistic or not, then do a research or go through previous projects done that could be similar and check to see their targets. If your donor has set up a target higher, then you could give incentives to your team that will motivate them to work towards achieving the set target.

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Although well intended there are occassions where unintended consequences may have an impact on volume or even length of a project requiring multiple adjustments and tweeks to proceed with the M&E.

We are all ambitious and sometimes our judgement may be clouded by what we are feeling at the moment and therefore it is better to use data rather than feelings when setting targets. Like you can't set a target of building a maisonette in one day, while it's quite possible, it's way unrealistic.

Setting unrealistic targets usually ends up overwhelming the staff. Therefore people are not able to deliver as expected instead they are on the rush to ensure they achieve the set target.“Unrealistic expectations are potentially damaging because they set us and others up for failure,” says Selena C. Snow, PhD, a clinical psychologist in Rockville, Maryland.

What to do if unrealistic targets have been set by my project partners

Setting unrealistic targets may derail the projects and put it in a set back in terms of time and also resources. It may also tamper with indicators set which will ultimately affect operations of the entire projects.

Unrealistic targets are doing almost the opposit of what we plan to get. It also make us living in the Utopia if we use wide imagination.

Thanks for the knowledge

I am really fascinated by the amount of information here. Indeed, unrealistc targets are misleading and frastrating when people realize they can't achieve them.

set up timelines of work and set goals
Also set targets and offer oneself with time and seek help from supevisor and look ahead of plan

Setting unrealistic targets may derail the projects and put it in a set back in terms of time and also resources. It may also tamper with indicators set which will ultimately affect operations of the entire projects.

Unrealistic targets are those ambitious and cumbersome targets that can't be reached. These are generally out of assumptions and very biased ideas during the planning of the project. We therefore need to set our targets based on evidence, previous similar program targets, expert idea and general brainstorming on the different context within the society where the project is to be implemented and also taking into account what the funders want.

Unrealistic targets are those we set without a proper feasibility study in terms of population and other contextual understanding. for example, you work in a 4,000-population IDP camp but anticipate helping 5,000 through your project activities which are unrealistic.

Unrealistic target requires intense brain storming

ne pas exagerer

Unrealistic targets are targets which setting without using data source, not considering expert opinion, research finding and project budget. This will ensure that we let our biases influence our decision.