Referencemål

Referencemål is a term used in Danish and Norwegian contexts to denote a predefined target or benchmark used as a standard for comparison when planning, monitoring and evaluating performance. It represents a reference value against which actual outcomes are measured. Unlike an aspirational goal or a final objective, a referencemål establishes a stable point of reference that helps stakeholders assess progress and decide whether actions are effective.

Common applications include public sector planning, corporate performance management, budgeting, and project control. A referencemål should be specific and measurable, time-bound and grounded in data such as historical performance, policy objectives, or external benchmarks. It is often used to compute variances and drive corrective actions.

Practical examples include a municipality setting a referencemål for annual electricity use per dwelling, or a department establishing a referencemål for the percentage of projects delivered on schedule. In performance reporting, actual results are compared with the referencemål to identify gaps and explain deviations.

In methodology, referencemål complements other targets and supports a structured approach to monitoring and improvement. They should be reviewed and updated as conditions change to preserve relevance. Limitations include the risk of misalignment if the referencemål is outdated or treated as a ceiling rather than a benchmark, which can hinder meaningful evaluation. Referencemål are part of broader benchmarking and performance-management practices.