Policymål

Policymål, or policy goals, are the intended outcomes that a public policy, program, or regulation seeks to achieve. They translate a problem definition into concrete targets that guide design, implementation, and evaluation. Policymål are typically stated as specific, measurable results and may be bound by a time frame.

Key features of policymål include clarity, measurability, relevance, and feasibility. They are often accompanied by indicators, baselines, and milestones to enable monitoring. Policymål are integrated into the policy cycle, informing problem framing, choice of instruments, budgeting, and the assessment of success or failure.

Types of policymål can focus on different levels of change. Outcome goals describe changes in society or behavior, output goals specify the services or products delivered, and process goals concern the use of resources and efficiency. The setting of policymål usually involves analyses of data, stakeholder input, and alignment with broader strategic priorities.

Use and purpose. Policymål guide resource allocation, program design, and performance management. They provide a basis for monitoring, reporting, and accountability to citizens and lawmakers. Clear goals also help compare alternatives, justify expenditures, and expose trade-offs.

Relation to instruments and evaluation. Policymål are distinct from policy instruments such as laws, subsidies, or regulations, but are tightly connected to them: the chosen instruments should be capable of producing the intended outcomes. Evaluation compares actual results against policymål to inform adjustments and future policy-making.

Examples include education goals (for instance, reducing dropout rates by a target percentage within a period) or climate goals (such as lowering greenhouse gas emissions by a specified amount by a given year).