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The terms '''Role''', '''Function''', '''Intention''', '''Purpose''', '''Aim''', '''Target''' are sometimes used in systems literature in ways that create confusion and unclarity. The purpose of this article is to provide precise definitions and clarity. In some cases, the terms can be clarified better by looking at how they are different. | |||
===Aim | ===Distinctions between Role, Purpose, Mission, and Function=== | ||
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|style="padding: 10px" | '''Role''' | |||
|Defines where a person or entity fits into the overall scope of things.<br>The position or purpose that someone or something has in a situation, organization, society, or relationship.<br>For example, a carpenter's role is to use the hammer and build furniture. The hammer (i.e., tool) operates under the carpenter but ahead of the nails. The function of the hammer is described below.<br>In the context of organizations, defining the roles of team members helps keep everyone organized, knowing who will be responsible for what tasks. | |||
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|style="padding: 10px" |'''Function''' | |||
|The kind of action or activity proper to a person, thing, or institution.<br>The purpose for which something is designed or exists.<br>For example, the function of a tool is the tasks that a particular role is assigned to accomplish. A hammer is a tool. To describe the function of a hammer, though, a hammer drives nails, removes nails, and generally hits other lesser tools really, really hard.<br>In the context of an organization, to describe say the function of a Project Manager (this is a role) we look at the list of the tasks this role is/will be doing. These tasks form the function of a particular role. | |||
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|style="padding: 10px" |'''Mission''' | |||
|mission is what it does<br>A mission statement is a concise explanation of the organization's reason for existence. It describes the organization's purpose and its overall intention. The mission statement supports the vision and serves to communicate purpose and direction to employees, customers, vendors and other stakeholders. | |||
Mission is a general statement of how you will achieve your vision. Strategies are a series of ways of using the mission to achieve the vision. Goals are statements of what needs to be accomplished to implement the strategy. Objectives are specific actions and timelines for achieving the goal. | |||
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|style="padding: 10px" |'''Purpose''' | |||
|The “why” behind a function.<br>The reason for which something exists or is done, made, or used.<br>Applied to organizations, purpose pinpoints to the ultimate goal of our efforts. To what end are we giving our time and energy? The answers define our purpose.<br>While the function of a tool is the tasks that a particular role is assigned to accomplish, purpose is the “why” behind the function. | |||
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===Distinctions between Aim and Target/Objectives=== | |||
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|style="padding: 10px" | '''Aim''' | |style="padding: 10px" | '''Aim''' | ||
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===Purpose | ===Distinction between Purpose and Intention=== | ||
The generally accepted definition is that an organisation's purpose is the reason or <u>why it exists - why it does what it does</u>. <br> | The generally accepted definition is that an organisation's purpose is the reason or <u>why it exists - why it does what it does</u>. <br> | ||
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|style="padding: 10px" | '''POSIWID''' | |style="padding: 10px" | '''POSIWID''' | ||
|The | |The '''P'''urpose '''O'''f a '''S'''ystem '''I'''s '''W'''hat '''I'''t '''D'''oes.<br>There is <u>no point in claiming that the purpose of a system is to do what it constantly fails to do.</u> | ||
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===Intention | ===Distinctions between Intention, Aim, Goal, Objective and Target === | ||
The main difference between intention and goal is that intentions are vague and broad, while goals are | Intention and Aim are often used interchangeably; they mean the <u>thing you plan to do or achieve</u>.<br>Intent generally refers to the mental objective behind an action.<br> | ||
The concept of intent is often the focal point of Criminal Law. | |||
A <u>goal is an outcome we want to achieve</u>, while an <u>objective is a specific and measurable action that can be reached in a short amount of time</u>, often related to a goal.<br> | |||
A goal is long-term, so it's something we work towards.<br> | |||
Our goals may thus be some way off in the future and thus take time to achieve, even years in some cases!<br> | |||
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|style="padding: 10px" | '''Aim''' | |||
|The thing we plan to do or achieve.<br>A purpose or the desired outcome.<br> In the context of an organization that would overlap with the vision. | |||
|- | |||
|style="padding: 10px" | '''Goal''' | |||
|An <u>indicator</u> established to determine whether we have achieved your objective.<br>A goal is long-term, so it's something we work towards. | |||
|- | |||
|style="padding: 10px" |'''Objective''' | |||
|specific and <u>measurable action</u> that can be reached in a short amount of time, often related to a goal. | |||
|- | |||
|style="padding: 10px" |'''Target''' | |||
|The specific desired outcomes. The <u>exact result of what we want to get</u>.<br> A Target is <u>tangible and concrete</u>. | |||
|} | |||
The main difference between intention and goal is that intentions are vague and broad, while goals are more specific.<br> | |||
Goals involve the expectations, actions, and results of what we want to achieve.<br> | Goals involve the expectations, actions, and results of what we want to achieve.<br> | ||
Both intentions and goals <u>describe</u> what we want to achieve: | Both intentions and goals <u>describe</u> what we want to achieve: | ||
* An intention is an idea we plan to carry out. | * An intention is an idea we plan to carry out. | ||
* A goal is an aim or objective | * A goal is an aim or objective we work toward with effort and determination. | ||
* We usually create goals based on our intentions. | * We usually create goals based on our intentions. | ||
Both intentions and goals have a <u>time dimension</u>: | Both intentions and goals have a <u>time dimension</u>: | ||
* Goals are a destination or specific achievement. | * Goals are a destination or specific achievement. | ||
* Intentions are lived | * Intentions are lived daily, independent of achieving the goal or destination. | ||
Intentions and goals differ on whether they are <u> | Intentions and goals differ on whether they are <u>objective or relational</u> | ||
* Goals are external achievements. | * Goals are external achievements. | ||
* Intentions are about our relationship with | * Intentions are about our relationship with ourselves and others. | ||
[[Category:Systems concepts]] | [[Category:Systems concepts]] |