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      Setting project aims and objectives

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can create SMART goals for a project and explain how iteration and interaction between project stages support effective planning.

      Key learning points

      1. Objectives are smaller, manageable tasks that help achieve the overall user requirements of a project.
      2. SMART goals are used to set clear, focused objectives.
      3. Iteration refers to repeating stages or refining tasks to improve outcomes.
      4. Interaction occurs when stages of a project overlap, such as beginning planning while still completing initiation.

      Keywords

      • SMART goals - a framework for setting goals that are: specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely

      • Iteration - repeating stages or refining tasks to improve outcomes

      • Interaction - occurs when stages of a project overlap, such as beginning planning while still completing initiation

      Common misconception

      Interaction can only occur between consecutive stages of the project lifecycle.

      Interaction can happen across multiple stages of the project lifecycle.

      Teacher tip

      This lesson requires learners to have some knowledge of the project brief covered in lesson 2. If learners have not completed this lesson it may be worth providing them with the project brief supplied as Additional material in lesson 2.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Which stage of the project life cycle involves deciding what the project should achieve?

      Correct Answer: initiation

      Q2.
      What document is examined at the start of a project to understand its aims and the work required?

      Correct Answer: project brief

      Q3.
      Match each project stage to its main purpose.

      Correct Answer:initiation,define the project’s aim

      define the project’s aim

      Correct Answer:planning,organise tasks and resources

      organise tasks and resources

      Correct Answer:execution,complete the work

      complete the work

      Correct Answer:evaluation,review the project’s success

      review the project’s success

      Q4.
      When should user requirements be identified in a project?

      after the project is completed
      only during evaluation
      when problems occur
      Correct answer: during initiation and planning

      Q5.
      Which of these best describes a project constraint?

      a list of team members
      Correct answer: a factor that could limit project success
      an optional extra feature
      a completed milestone

      Q6.
      Put these actions in the order they should happen when starting a new project.

      1 - Analyse project brief.
      2 - Identify user requirements.
      3 - Consider constraints.
      4 - Develop contingency plans.

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      What is the main purpose of breaking a project into objectives?

      to make the project longer
      to avoid setting goals
      to skip planning
      Correct answer: to make tasks more manageable

      Q2.
      Which of the following best describes a SMART goal?

      a goal that is vague and flexible
      a goal that is only about time
      Correct answer: a goal that is specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely
      a goal with no deadline

      Q3.
      What term describes the process of repeating or refining stages in a project to improve outcomes?

      Correct Answer: iteration

      Q4.
      Arrange these actions to show how iteration can improve a project.

      1 - Complete a project stage.
      2 - Review the outcome.
      3 - Identify improvements.
      4 - Refine the stage.

      Q5.
      What term describes when stages of a project overlap and influence each other?

      Correct Answer: interaction

      Q6.
      Which statement about interaction in the project lifecycle is correct?

      Interaction only happens between stages that follow each other.
      Interaction cannot occur during the planning stage.
      Interaction is not possible in large projects.
      Correct answer: Interaction can take place across multiple stages, not just consecutive ones.

      To help you plan your 11 computing lesson on: Setting project aims and objectives, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...