Delmål

Delmål is a term used to describe subgoals or intermediate objectives that serve to advance toward a larger, overarching goal. The word combines the components for “part” and “goal,” and it is commonly used in planning, project management, education, and personal development to structure work into smaller, more manageable steps.

In practice, delmål help clarify what needs to be accomplished and when, making it easier to organize tasks, allocate resources, and track progress. Each delmål should be aligned with the main goal and typically be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (often in line with SMART criteria). By achieving successive delmål, progress is demonstrated incrementally, which can maintain motivation and allow for adjustments if circumstances change.

Delmål are distinct from milestones in that milestones (milstolper) mark significant points or phases in a project, whereas delmål are the concrete steps that lead to those milestones. A common use is in goal setting for individuals or teams: for a main objective like “launch a new product,” delmål might include market research completion, prototype development, beta testing, and a public release date.

Benefits of using delmål include clearer planning, easier progress monitoring, and better risk management. Potential drawbacks include the risk of creating too many subgoals or losing sight of the main objective if delmål become disconnected from the overarching purpose. Properly defined delmål maintain focus while enabling incremental achievement.