Hovedmålene

Hovedmålene is a term used in Norwegian Bokmål and Danish to denote the main goals or primary objectives of a project, program, organization, or policy. The word combines hoved (main, chief) and mål (goal, target), and in definite plural form hovedmålene refers to the collection of principal aims. The concept is commonly employed in strategic planning to distinguish the overarching outcomes from more detailed sub-goals (delmål) or milestones.

In practice, hovedmålene serve as guiding targets for decision-making, resource allocation, and evaluation. They are typically fewer in number than sub-goals, specific enough to be actionable but broad enough to remain stable over a planning period. They are often accompanied by performance indicators and deadlines to facilitate monitoring.

Examples of hovedmålene can be found in both public and private sectors. In a municipality’s sustainability plan, hovedmålene might include reducing greenhouse gas emissions by a certain percentage by a target year, increasing the share of renewable energy, and promoting sustainable transport. In a corporate strategy, hovedmålene could be to improve profitability, enhance customer satisfaction, and expand market presence. The exact formulation varies with context, but the function remains the same: to define the principal outcomes that guide actions and measure success.

The term is widely used across contexts, including public administration, education, and business, and is generally translated into English as main objectives or primary goals. It is commonly paired with delmål and the broader strategic plan or policy framework.