Goal hierarchy or Goal Breakdown Structure
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| − | The term “goal hierarchy”, “goal setting” or “goal breakdown structure” is mentioned in literature of all sorts. Some literature refers to the terminology as a method for creating personal success, | + | The term “goal hierarchy”, “goal setting” or “goal breakdown structure” is mentioned in literature of all sorts. Some literature refers to the terminology as a method for creating personal success, Duckworth (2016) argues that one major component for one person’s success is their ability to have “passion and perseverance for long time goals” <ref> Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance Angela Lee Duckworth © Scribner 2016 352 pp. ISBN-13: 978-1501111105<\ref>. Sinek (2011) argues in his book “Start with why” that the same is true for big businesses. He uses the tech company Apple as an example of how a clear goal strategy internally at Apple helped them to become the market giants they are today. Apples clear communication of, not only WHAT and HOW they produce their products and services, but also WHY they do it, made Apple the supreme competitor on the market. A clear and solid goal setting technique should help project, program or portfolio managers to construct a goal hierarchy which can align and optimise decision making in the organization, as well as help to communicate the all so important WHY to the customers, as Sinek argues. One such strategy Is GBS. |
| − | The term "goal breakdown structure" was first mentioned in the publication” Setting Goals and Expectations” | + | The term "goal breakdown structure" was first mentioned in the publication” Setting Goals and Expectations” . GBS is often presented as an alternative method to Work breakdown structure (WBS). WBS structures an organisations strategy to achieve the PPP’s main purpose after tasks to be completed. GBS structures an organisation after goals or objectives to be achieved. Both the WBS and GBS are hierarchic tree structures, where the top level in the hierarchy consists of the projects overall and main purpose. When one moves down the tree structure, the abstraction level is decreased and goals or task should be easier to grasp and execute directly. |
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=How to create a goal heirarchy by using GBS= | =How to create a goal heirarchy by using GBS= | ||
Revision as of 13:25, 4 March 2019
Abstract
Purpose is the reason why a project exists. However, the purpose of a project, program or portfolio (PPP) needs to be crystallised in to a desirable strategy to generate the intended benefits. The goal hierarchy or goal breakdown structure helps to transform and break down a PPP's purpose into more manageable goals, sub-goals, and deliverables, while maintaining a clear connection to the PPP's main purpose. The aspect of creating a clear goal hierarchy is applicable and is important in projects, programs and portfolios. The PMI standard for program management describes the process of creating a goal hierarchy as “goal setting” by “To facilitate alignment and goal setting, the organization’s strategic plan is further delineated as a set of goals and objectives that may have measurable elements such as products, deliverables, benefits, cost, and timing, among others. The goal of linking the program to the organization’s strategic plan is to plan and manage a program that will help the organization achieve its strategic goals and objectives and to balance its use of resources while maximizing value.” [1] . This statement both displays a method of crystallising the main goal in to a structure of more concrete lower level sub goals of products, benefits, deliverables and so forth. The statement also exemplifies that the intended benefits of using a clear goal hierarchy is to help an organisation achieve its goals while maximizing the value.
This article will provide an overview of the topic of creating a goal hierarchy with the use of the management method, goal breakdown structure (GBS). The article will provide a brief overview of the literature and areas where a goal hierarchy can be applied and what benefits it is intended to generate. The article will also provide examples of how to create a desirable goal hierarchy using the GBS method. This article will mainly exemplify GBS applied in project management, but it should be noted that the methodology is equally applicable in program and portfolio management as well.
Introduction
The term “goal hierarchy”, “goal setting” or “goal breakdown structure” is mentioned in literature of all sorts. Some literature refers to the terminology as a method for creating personal success, Duckworth (2016) argues that one major component for one person’s success is their ability to have “passion and perseverance for long time goals” [2]
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