subgoal
Step toward completion
A subgoal is an intermediate objective that serves a larger goal.
Breaking a complex task into subgoals makes progress manageable: Her subgoal was to finish the outline before tackling the full draft.
The term appears in psychology, artificial intelligence, and project management, where achieving subgoals builds toward the ultimate aim.
Notable event marking progress
- checkpointInspection station on route
- targetObject of pursuit
- objectivePurpose or goal
- aimPurpose or direction
step · task · phase · stage · benchmark · threshold · marker · deliverable
Reason something exists
- intentPlanned purpose
- aspirationStrong desire for achievement
- ambitionDesire for achievement
- desireIntense wanting
vision · pursuit · drive · incentive · reward · satisfaction · encouragement · focus
Forward movement or promotion
- headwayForward progress achieved
- strideExtended single footstep
- improvementPositive change in quality
- gainPositive return received
development · growth · achievement · accomplishment · breakthrough · step forward · momentum · traction
milestone
Notable event marking progress
- checkpointInspection station on route
- targetObject of pursuit
- objectivePurpose or goal
aim · step · task · phase · stage · benchmark · threshold · marker · deliverable · waypoint
purpose
Reason something exists
- intentPlanned purpose
- aspirationStrong desire for achievement
- ambitionDesire for achievement
desire · vision · pursuit · drive · incentive · reward · satisfaction · encouragement · focus · direction
advancement
Forward movement or promotion
- headwayForward progress achieved
- strideExtended single footstep
- improvementPositive change in quality
gain · development · growth · achievement · accomplishment · breakthrough · step forward · momentum · traction · forward motion