Zielwissen

Zielwissen (literally "goal knowledge") is a term used in German-language discussions of knowledge and learning to describe knowledge about the objectives, aims, and criteria for success of an activity. The concept is used across disciplines but is not tied to a single discipline. It emphasizes the relation between what is known (the goals) and how actions are evaluated.

In education, Zielwissen refers to learners’ understanding of the task objectives, the expected outcomes, and the rubrics or criteria by which performance will be judged. When students possess Zielwissen, they can plan study strategies, monitor progress, and adjust effort to reach the stated targets. In organizational settings, Zielwissen denotes how well team members understand the project goals, the relevant success metrics, and the milestones needed to reach them. This shared knowledge supports alignment and effective coordination.

In psychology and motivation research, Zielwissen is linked to goal-setting theory and meta-cognition: knowing the aims supports intentional action and self-regulated behavior. Some authors treat Zielwissen as part of broader knowledge types, such as domain knowledge (Fachwissen) and procedural knowledge (Prozesswissen).

Terminology varies: Zielwissen is sometimes used interchangeably with goal knowledge or knowledge of objectives. Because the term is not standardized, definitions may differ across sources and fields.