Purpose - Aim - Target - Intention - Goal: Difference between revisions

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Easier to define by looking at differences.
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.
 
Function: The function of a tool, is the tasks that a particular role is assigned to accomplish. ... Purpose is very simply, the “why” behind our function.
 
Function: the kind of action or activity proper to a person, thing, or institution; the purpose for which something is designed or exists; role. Purpose: the reason for which something exists or is done, made, used, etc.1
 
Role: Like the word “tool”, a role defines where a person or entity will fit into the scope of things. Unlike the carpenter, which is the head, the “tool” will be working under the carpenter, but ahead of the nails. Defining the roles of your team members helps keep everyone organized, knowing who will be responsible for what tasks.
 
Function: 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, you would say that a hammer drives nails, removes nails, generally hits other lesser tools really, really hard. Another way to describe function is to think about when you read job descriptions–someone may be the Project Manager, but that’s just their role. What will their function at the company actually be? Well to answer that question, we list off the tasks that the PM will be doing. These tasks form the function of a particular role.
Finally we come to Purpose. Purpose is very simply, the “why” behind our function. What is the ultimate goal of our efforts? To what end are we giving of our time and energy? These answers define our purpose.
 
mission is what it does


===Distinctions between Role, Purpose, Mission, and Function===
{|class=wikitable
|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 is the head. The hammer (i.e., tool) operates under the carpenter but ahead of the nails. In the context of organizations, defining the roles of team members helps keep everyone organized, knowing who will be responsible for what tasks.
|-
|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. 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.
|-
|style="padding: 10px" |'''Mission'''
|mission is what it does
|-
|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.
|}




===Aim vs Target/Objectives===
===Distinctions between Aim and Target/Objectives===
{|class=wikitable  
{|class=wikitable  
|style="padding: 10px" | '''Aim'''
|style="padding: 10px" | '''Aim'''
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===Purpose vs Intention===
===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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