Add targets for a goal in Strategic Planning

task brazil Updated Sep 17, 2026 4 min read set-targets-for-goal-egm.md
Raw file servicenow.com

Create targets to track and measure progress toward your goals. Select a target type that matches the direction of each goal.

Before you begin

Role required: sn_apw_advanced.spw_goal_user and (sn_align_core.apw_user or sn_gf.goal_admin)

About this task

If you're using ServiceNow Otto for SPM, you can use the Target generation skill to generate targets for a goal. The skill uses the goal's details and provided context to generate a target for the goal. Review AI-generated targets for accuracy before you save them. For details, see Generate targets for a goal in Strategic Planning Workspace using ServiceNow Otto for SPM.

Configuring a target source for your target updates the Actuals to date field on the Target form automatically. For more information about target automation, see Target actuals automation in Strategic Planning.

SMART targets are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound. When selecting a target type, consider your goal's direction:

  • Maximize: Use for goals when the goal is to increase a metric (for example, revenue, customer satisfaction).
  • Minimize: Use for goals when the goal is to decrease a metric (for example, costs, defects).
  • Maintain above: Use for goals where a metric must stay above a threshold (for example, service uptime, compliance rating).
  • Maintain below: Use for goals where a metric must stay below a threshold (for example, operating costs cap).
  • Maintain constant: Use for goals where a metric must stay stable within a tolerance range (for example, staffing levels, quality scores).
  • Milestone: Use for qualitative goals with Yes/No achievement status (for example, project completion, regulatory approval).

Note:

  • Only the owner or contributors of the goal can create targets for the goal.
  • You can also restrict access to a target record to specific users by selecting the Confidential check box on the Target form if the Operational Sustainability Management application is installed.

Procedure

  1. Create a target for a goal using one of the following options.

Option

Steps

From the Goals view
  1. Navigate to Workspaces > Strategic Planning Workspace > Portfolio Planning.
  2. From the list of portfolio plans, select the portfolio plan that the goal belongs to.
  3. In the Goals view, select the Goals and targets tab.
  4. Next to the goal, select the row context menu icon [Omitted image "action-menu-icon.png"] Alt text: and select Add target.

From the Targets tab
  1. Navigate to Workspaces > Strategic Planning Workspace > Portfolio Planning.
  2. From the list of portfolio plans, select the portfolio plan that the goal belongs to.
  3. In the Goals view, select the Goals and targets tab.
  4. Select the goal.

The Goal side panel opens with the Details tab.

  1. From the side panel, select Full Details to open the Goal form.
  2. On the Quantitative Targets or Qualitative Targets tab, select New.
2. On the form, fill in the fields. 
For a description of the field values, see [Target form](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/brazil/markdown/it-business-management/scenario-planning-in-spw/target-form-egm.md). In the **Type** field, select the target type that matches the direction of your goal.

  1. For Maintain-type targets, set up the check-in frequency to track performance across time periods.

    Maintain-type targets require periodic check-ins to track how often the metric stays within, above, or below the threshold. For example:

    • Maintain above service uptime: Set check-in frequency to Monthly to track monthly uptime performance.
    • Maintain constant staffing: Set check-in frequency to Quarterly to verify headcount stays within the tolerance band each quarter. For Maximize and Minimize targets, check-in frequency is optional.

    In fiscal mode, you can select only the check-in frequencies that the fiscal calendar provides. For details, see Check-in frequency values.

  2. Select Save.

    You can also select Save and add new target to save this target and add another target for the goal.

Result

Target progress records are created automatically when you save the target after you populate the Actuals to date field. The target progress records specify the progress of each target for the goal. Status is automatically calculated based on the target type and achievement criteria. For Maintain-type targets, status reflects the percentage of periods that meet the target criteria.

Note: When you delete a goal, its associated targets (if any) and their progress records are also deleted even if the Allow the deletion of targets property is set to No.

What to do next

Update the progress of the target manually if the target is not enabled for target automation. For Maintain-type targets with check-in frequency, enter the actual value for each time period to track achievement across the breakdown periods.

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