Zielkatalog

Zielkatalog is a German term that refers to a structured collection of goals and desired outcomes used in planning and governance. The catalog is commonly employed in German-speaking organizations to align strategy, projects, and operations. Each entry typically describes a goal, the criteria by which its achievement will be measured, a target date, a priority level, and an owner responsible for its progress.

In practice, a Zielkatalog serves as a reference point for decision-making, progress tracking, and change management. Goals are often described in a SMART style—specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound—and linked to the current state (Ist) and the target state (Soll). The catalog is usually created through stakeholder workshops, strategy reviews, and requirements elicitation, and it is intended to remain a living document that can be updated as conditions change.

Applications span various domains, including business strategy, IT governance, process optimization, product development, public administration, and research planning. In IT and digital transformation projects, a Zielkatalog helps translate broad strategic aims into concrete project goals, features, and acceptance criteria, thereby linking strategy to implementation and evaluation.

Typical structure of an entry includes the goal statement, success metrics, time frame, responsible party, priority, and status. Benefits of maintaining a Zielkatalog include improved clarity, alignment, and accountability, while its effectiveness depends on regular maintenance and avoidance of redundancy. Potential limitations include overcomplexity if the catalog grows without governance or insufficient stakeholder engagement.