Achievable

Achievable is an adjective that describes something that can be accomplished or attained within given constraints such as time, resources, and circumstances. It implies feasibility, meaning that the goal or outcome is realistically within reach if appropriate steps are taken.

The noun forms achievability or achievableness refer to the state or quality of being achievable. The word comes from the verb achieve and the suffix -able; etymological relatives appear across many languages in the same pattern.

In planning and evaluation, goals are often described as achievable to promote realism and motivation. In project management and education, using achievable targets helps prevent scope creep and disengagement. In the SMART framework, 'achievable' (sometimes stated as 'attainable') is the criterion that a goal should be realistic given current capabilities and constraints.

Achievable is related to, but distinct from, feasible, practical, possible, and realistic. Feasible emphasizes possibility within constraints; practical stresses usefulness and applicability; possible is a broad generic term; realistic aligns with actual conditions. The nuances can affect how goals are set and measured.

Antonyms include unachievable and unattainable. Related terms include achievability and attainability, which refer to the degree to which something can be achieved in practice.