Please update your browser

We have detected that you are using an outdated browser that will prevent you from using
certain features. An update is required to improve your browsing experience.

Use the links below to upgrade your existing browser

Hello, visitor.

Register Now

  • Unrealistic targets are the targets that are too difficult to implement our goals and objectives . We need to adjust our targets based on our availability of resources .

  • It is very paramount to reach the community yourself to find out the real information yourself. We found out some volunteers in our organization had develop cold fit thereby filling the survey form by their selves in stead of reaching the town or the local to flu d out about their real issues

  • Targets foster efforts towards results. It's great. But when setting targets we must take the time to ponder over the constraints, such as time, money and social context. Otherwise e will be disappointed!

  • Ambitus target, un-achievable

  • Before we set the target, we need to verify if the target is attainable in project period. If the target becomes unattainable during the project due to unexpected variable (ex: COVID-19), It is important to make quick analysis and change the target in real situation.

    N
    1 Reply
  • Do not set a goal high and too high because the achievements would be difficult to achieve and if this is not achieved it could disappoint the team member and the sponsors of the study.

  • Ambious target, un-achievable

  • Set a target without any supporting data like a baseline data, collecting new data or maybe the project don’t have any existing data can be unrealistic. Don’t set targets too ambitious because to impress clients, set a targets to ensure we can achieve that.

  • I would like to understand more about these unrealistic goals.

  • Setting unrealistic target can have impact in your project (which might totally take you back), so is therefore important part of any project to set a target/goals that will be easy to achieve.

  • This module has been really useful as this is something i've always struggled with, i think really understanding other interventions and conducting a thorough literature review is a first great step in setting targets. NOPE's strategy of choosing a midway between best and worst case scenario is such a great tip for me.

    C
    1 Reply
  • Often times we overlook the data or trends that are already in place to create a baseline and that makes us set targets that will not have the impact we would like to, or we do not take into account the government restrictions or exchange rates and we set unrealistic targets.

  • Setting unrealistic targets put pressure on project team members resulting in cutting corners to achieve targets

  • The Go to foundation hope to trained 1500 Peer Educators by March 2021, but with the uncertainty of times we live in due to the Covid-19 pandemic this target appears unrealistic and would have to be adjusted

  • Number of loans granted >>> 200 loans will be provided by November 2020

  • Unrealistic targets are targets that are set but that do not feel to reached in the measure of the possible.

  • Unrealistic targets are targets that are set but that do not feel to be reached in the measure of the possible.
    This is why wa have to pay attention by analyzing all inputs to inpacts to judge wheter your targets will be realized.

  • Unrealistic targets can lead to frustration and bridge of trust between organizations, beneficiaries and funders

  • The targets that one sets must be realistic. This simply means that, the desired result must achievable. So as one sets a target, it is important that the target is not unrealistic. Unrealistic targets are targets that can not be met with the resources that are available for use for the project. These resource could be money, time and access to people whose help you might need. And it importantly a target must always be in line or be related and relevant to the project.

  • 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.

    4 Ways to Handle Unrealistic Targets
    Don't panic. As humans, our instinctive reaction to anything that threatens our job security or earning potential is to worry about it.
    Adjust your approach. Depending on what and how you sell, fine-tune your approach. ...
    Assess your working practices.
    Speak up.

  • Really, this yet another important aspect of planning M&E, that is setting an ambitious but realistic targets. It is clear that unrealistic will demoralize and disappoint your project team, sponsors and you as an individual.

  • Unrealistic targets are those that are set without putting into considerations important elements that inform a baseline of a project. Unrealistic targets are set also when we do not factor in historical trends, beneficiaries opinions and budget limitations.

    J
    1 Reply
  • Well we humans operate in real world there is need to be rational in thought so as to achieve the goals of our projects

  • From historical trend are we able to just predict the next target
    Yes we are able to predict the next target because history shows how the trend have been moving

    J
    1 Reply
  • Unrealistic targets are common especially among those who are novices (just beginning to understand M&E), those who want to impress donors and set very high targets and those who use wrong data. It is important to first get the dynamics on the ground (understand your environment) before setting a target. Even after setting the target, check again to see if that figure is achievable or not. Unrealistic targets if not achieved may lead to fund cuts, donor pulling out and unsatisfied beneficiaries. They should be avoided at any cost.

  • A target is unrealistic if there is no baseline. Setting a baseline is paramount to setting an ambitious and yet realistic target.

    J
    1 Reply
  • Targets needs to be realistically achievable. The is no point setting yourself up for failure

    F
    1 Reply
  • Unrealistic targets are ambitious and not realistic especially in relation to resources such as time, personnel and money

  • More often than not, we are hard on ourselves by setting unrealistic targets in the quest to please our donors. A project failure could be attributed to unrealistic targets at times; success of a project is measured by juxtaposing the targets to the outputs/outcomes as well as impacts.

  • setting unrealistic target will frustrate the enthusiastic team member and disappoint the project beneficiaries. why the donors might withdraw from future project funding from the organization.

  • "To set targets, we will need to use data, not feelings". This is true and for this, we need data since numbers and facts aid us the evaluate our capability to reach the goal we seek within the constraints of time, money, and the quality.

  • Targets need to be feasibly and practically achievable. historical data can assist in setting targest

  • A target is unrealistic if it is not supported by the project budget, research findings, expert opinion and stakeholder expectations.

  • When you set unrealistic target you will not be taken serious, I enjoyed the lecture

  • In regards to unrealistic Targets usually it begins in the first stage of monitoring and evaluation if you are an able to have a stable understanding of the goal you end up having an unrealistic target

  • Unrealistic targets are targets set but is impossible to achieve them maybe due to inadequate funds or any other factors. This targets affect project experts negatively. For example planning to supply 16000 sanitary towels to school girls yet there is only money to purchase 5000 towels. here the target is unachievable. its advisable to set realistic targets , be optimistic while setting targets. Set targets that can be changed in an occurrence like inadequate funds and other uncontrollable factors.

  • Target is very important to measure the indicator, but when it comes out as unrealistic it block the project achievement and the project may be judged as unsuccessful.

  • Unrealistic Targets is not taking in to consideration on what was achieve but begin to set new target.

  • Certainly, unrealistic targets are very ambitious and vague. We must take note that it has the to collapse a project as they can be quantified.

  • This module on indicators has really been informative. I am more equipped now to work on Indicators on a logframe

  • You are very correct.

  • Unrealistic targets
    These are targets that we set for our project which are either difficult or impossible to be realised. This could be because we are soo motivated and optimistic that we set targets beyond us or because our project was inadequately planned and so the resources we have are insufficient for us to attain the set target.
    It is therefore important to gather much imformation so as to make sure the targets that are set are realisable.

    F
    1 Reply
  • I think it's a mistake to set unrealistic goals

    J
    1 Reply
  • I have learned that it is very important to set realistic targets that are attainable so that you dont fail to reach your targets because they were unrealistic in the first place.

  • Unrealistic targets can be difficult to spot in practice and particularly at inception stages, as you also want to be ambitious. Second, if you're beginning a new project where you have little institutional knowledge or baseline, it can be difficult to determine what is achievable, realistic, but also ambitious, and what the risk factors are. On the other hand, with the right people, sources and studies, your targets may stay more in line.
    The important thing is to maintain indicators throughout the project, as you're otherwise creating a 'moving goal' syndrome and this can severely impact your project and it's success evaluation.

  •                                                                     **UNREALISTIC TARGETS.**
    

    Unrealistic targets are goals that are too ambitious. this may affect the project negatively as the purpose of the project may not be achieved, causing dissatisfaction of the stakeholders.

    To avoid setting unrealistic goals, one can use research findings on similar projects done, looking at the size of the budget and working with it, seeking an expert option or listening to the stakeholder expectation.

  • unrealistic targets are not achievable. it is therefore important to set realistic targets that you can actually reach.

  • Unrealistic targets could be time consuming, they could also lead to us not being able to reach our targets

  • Project Targets refer to a set of fixed goals or objectives that determine how a given project is expected to be done and what result or effect is supposed to be produced by the project. Hence, the targets should be checked carefully whether they are realistic or not.

  • want to be happy. Good. I like that; I think everyone on this planet has the right to pursue and own their own happiness. But the reason that I labelled it as unrealistic target is because there are no workable steps following this goal.

    It's not just about being happy, any target without a plan of attack is unrealistic to me. It's one thing to want, but another thing to actually do. And until you do something about your target, it's going to stay what it started as — a dream.

    K
    1 Reply
  • A target is a result that we try to achieve. But sometimes, the result is impossible to achieve and it becomes unrealistic and make the team discouraged.

  • Setting unrealistic targets will always lead to disappointment due to inability of the team to achieve its set out objectives/targets. Unrealistic targets will lead to poor implementation of the project as the targets will be used as a measuring stick on the performance of the team.

  • Setting unrealistic expectations means that it's increasingly unlikely that your team will be able to achieve them.

  • Unrealistic target will difficult to achieve

  • Unrealistic target is one that cannot be met with the resources you have available to you. Resources might include time, money or access to other people to help you. The chance for success for unrealistic targets is significantly low.

  • Setting unrealistic targets is very bad for any project. It will lead to waste of time and resources and ultimately nothing will be achieved in terms of outcome and impacts.

  • I strongly agree with the NOPE strategy of establishing a target that is midway of the project implementation with and without the effects of the risks and assumptions.

  • Target may be ambitious but it should be realistic.

  • Setting realistic target will help the organization to achieve what intended to achieve.

  • It is important to set realistic target.

  • Generally target should be SMART. Means;
    specific
    Measurable
    Achievable
    Realistic
    Time bound

  • Also we should remember that target should be SMART.

  • unrealistic targets does not help with establishing clear expectations for the project, targets act as guideposts for monitoring whether progress is on schedule and at the level required, thus when you set unrealistic targets you might end up not being the timeframe for their implementation and measurable for evaluation.

  • For me I think this is one mistake that people make when they are setting targets. Some become to ambitious and dream big forgetting that targets needs to be realistic , they need to be practical and be able tp be reached. Thus, is from this scenario that unrealistic targets are targets that can never be reached or that are not practical in implementation.

  • Unrealistic targets may arise if the project term fail to do their work. Setting up targets that is not achievable.

  • Unrealistic targets happen when information is incomplete or minimal, such create situations whereby project implementation or resources such time, personnel is stretch to the limits while the goal is too far to reach. Gradual increments in targets help to boost morale and confidence as we learn and adjust as our capability.

  • what would you do if the donor gave you the targets based on what they think but being on the ground and based on experience you already know they are unrealistic?

  • Setting realistic targets forms an important step of an M & E plan. Unless targets are practically unachievable, it could be potentially discouraging for the project implementing team. So the project must avoid as much as possible choosing targets that are not achievable and unrealistic. In order to help ensure developing realistic targets, it is important that the concerned project is informed of baseline data or historical trends or other sources such as project stakeholders and project budget. It should also be noted that the choice of such information sources may vary according to the types of target under consideration, whether these targets are project level or program level.

  • Setting realistic targets forms an important step of an M & E plan. Unless targets are practically unachievable, it could be potentially discouraging for the project implementing team. So the project must avoid as much as possible choosing targets that are not achievable and unrealistic. In order to help ensure developing realistic targets, it is important that the concerned project is informed of baseline data or historical trends or other sources such as project stakeholders and project budget. It should also be noted that the choice of such information sources may vary according to the types of target under consideration, whether these targets are project level or program level.

  • how different are targets from objectives? where do the two meet?

  • very true. a historical context is so key in project sustainability. for instance, a certain project was aimed to providing a certain number of toilets in a certain rural zambian district. at midline evaluation, the implementers found that the toilets had been converted into maize (corn) storage facilities, because the locals were used to using the bush for the call of nature... context is key...

    A
    1 Reply
  • the SMART adage must always apply...

  • true. our aim must be to reach above the expected future trend in a certain target...

  • but how do you marry these two; say you have a certain figure as a target you can aim to surpass, and that figure is different from what yu get from your baseline... which one do you follow?

  • very true. and also bear in mind our risks and assumptions as we do that...

  • Unrealistic targets are usually a waste of resources both human and material resources.

  • In setting new targets we are meant to be optimistic and at the same time realistic. Both goes simultaneously

    F
    1 Reply
  • In setting new targets we are meant to be optimistic and at the same time realistic. Both goes simultaneously

  • In setting new targets we are meant to be optimistic and at the same time realistic. Both goes simultaneously.

    K
    1 Reply
  • Unrealistic targets are the ones that are difficult and or impossible to achieve. In other words over-ambitious. A number of factors contribute to this e.g. lack of information/data, individual biasness among others.
    Unrealistic targets affect deliverables and performance of a project leading to failure in the long run

  • Iam realizing that my project target is umbiguous and unrealistic so going back to adjust it

  • We’re bound to set unrealistic targets when we make project decisions based on our feelings, that is why is important to use data, experts opinion and other useful sources of information to set targets. It is also important to use process indicators( that help to monitor) and outcome and impact indicators( that help evaluate) to set realistic targets.

  • In monitoring and evaluation, our targets should be similar to our indicators but more specific. Unrealistic targets are bound to be made when there’s insufficient research and data, and or other sources of information.

  • Unrealistic targets are the ones that are difficult and or impossible to achieve. In other words over-ambitious. A number of factors contribute to this e.g. lack of information/data, individual biasness among others.
    Unrealistic targets affect deliverables and perfomance of a project leading to failure in the long run

  • Tragets which are not based on previous or existing data as a baseline.
    Targets that do not review historical trends
    Targets which are not achievable

  • You don't set target to impress the stakeholders or anyone else

  • unrealistic targets are often a result of a leader who often lack understanding of the project involved and the decisions that are carried on. The mistakes that lead to a project failure can be varied in nature, however, hanging on to projects that will fail in the end can be very much damaging.

  • As I think unrealistic targets can slow down the project. When it is time to bring changes on a target it will be very difficult to on unrealistic targets.

  • Targets are like the lighthouse in the distance shore that a ship (project/project activity) intends to reach. It expresses the zeal and essense of the project. A project target may be to ensure more than 50% of the participant group(s) live above poverty line in 2 years of the project. However, this may not be cast on stone. Several constraints determine the attainment of this ambitious target. Therefore, it is important to objectively weigh the interacting factors and set a target that is practical, realistic and responsive to the time and monetary limitations.

  • An excellent observation. The distinctive feature of unrealistic projects is that they are either unattainable or attaining them require a lot of strain in the various inputs and activities. Remember nobody wants to strain resources during the project, at least as much as possible.

  • Yes. This is correct. It is important to strike a balance of realistic and ambition. To strike this balance, adequate information is important otherwise even a realistic project may turn out to be overambitious still. Information is key in setting targets!

  • I can't think of a time in recent memory that I personally have been asked to meet unrealistic targets. However, our program was recently set some very unrealistic targets for enrollment: we had 0 students in the certificates and enrollment set a target of 50 students. In that case, our program chair asked the head of enrollment whom he should speak to, and explained the situation - including a total lack of marketing. I don't know yet what the outcome will be. I do know that clear communication is always good, and that it helps to demonstrate willingness to contribute in other/different ways, if the target is impossible to reach. In this case, we asked how we as a faculty could contribute to the enrollment effort.

  • I can't think of a time in recent memory that I personally have been asked to meet unrealistic targets. However, our program was recently set some very unrealistic targets for enrollment: we had 0 students in the certificates and enrollment set a target of 50 students. In that case, our program chair asked the head of enrollment whom he should speak to, and explained the situation - including a total lack of marketing. I don't know yet what the outcome will be. I do know that clear communication is always good, and that it helps to demonstrate willingness to contribute in other/different ways, if the target is impossible to reach. In this case, we asked how we as a faculty could contribute to the enrollment effort.

  • If we think to be ambitious our targets gone unrealistic. In this course, it is tricky way to think that. If unrealistic targets made, I can change to make realistic one by carefully communicate with stakeholders. Donors want to see realistic one.

  • 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.

  • Target are said to be unrealistic when the possibility of achieving it is slim or non-existing. Setting unrealistic target may impede project success.

  • Target are said to be unrealistic when the possibility of achieving it is slim or non-existing. Setting unrealistic target may impede project success.

  • In a situation as this, sensitization and re-sensitization is a valuable option to get members of the community embrace better and more hygiene ways to answer the call of nature

  • Sometimes what we refers to as "Unrealistic Targets" are actually Ambitious Target, the essence is to push us out of our comfort to achieve organizational goals and objectives. However, M&E expert must know where to draw the line between ambitious and unrealistic targets. Ambitious targets becomes unrealistic when there are not sufficient resources (Human, material, motivation etc) to support the actualization of such target.

Reply to Topic

Looks like your connection to PhilanthropyU was lost, please wait while we try to reconnect.