Attainables

Attainables is a plural noun referring to goals, outcomes, or rewards that are realistically achievable within given constraints such as time, resources, and skill levels. In planning and evaluation, the concept emphasizes feasibility and practicality, distinguishing between aspirational targets and those that can be realized in practice.

In project management and strategic planning, an attainables list helps teams set concrete objectives by evaluating capacity and dependencies. It often aligns with criteria like specificity, measurability, and time frame, similar in spirit to SMART goals, but with an emphasis on what is realistically possible rather than idealized outcomes.

In game design and product development, attainables refer to rewards, unlockables, or milestones that players can reach through genuine gameplay progression. Proper calibration ensures that attainables are challenging yet doable, maintaining engagement and reducing frustration.

In psychology, perceived attainability influences motivation and self-efficacy. When people view objectives as attainable, they are more likely to initiate and persist; overly optimistic attainables can lead to discouragement, while overly easy ones may dampen effort and growth.

Examples include a student aiming to complete two chapters of a course per week, a software release with a fixed set of features within a month, or a game granting a trophy after completing a tutorial and a couple of quests.

See also attainment, feasibility, achievability, attainable goals, and SMART criteria.