doelbron

Doelbron is a Dutch noun that denotes the source or basis of a goal or objective. It describes the information, needs, data, or assumptions from which objectives are derived, and it is used mainly in planning, project management, policy development, and performance analysis.

The word is a compound of doel (goal or objective) and bron (source). This etymology emphasizes that goals should be grounded in a specific source rather than being arbitrary. The term is not common in everyday speech and tends to appear in technical, organizational, or analytical contexts.

In practice, the doelbron identifies the origin of objectives, such as user requirements, regulatory standards, or strategic aims. In policy and governance, it refers to the data, mandates, or statements that justify the goals. Documenting the doelbron supports traceability, accountability, and alignment between needs and targets, making it easier to assess whether outcomes meet the original basis for the goals.

Related concepts include doelstelling (objective), eis (requirement), and randvoorwaarden (conditions or constraints). The doelbron is distinct in that it refers to the source of the goal itself, rather than the content of the goal alone, helping teams link targets back to their foundational information.

Example: In a software project, the doelbron might be the combination of a user research report, regulatory requirements, and the company's strategic plan that together shape the project objectives.