---
sourceDocument: Australia Strategic Portfolio Management
sourceDocumentLink: https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/r/it-business-management

 Release :

    - australia

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Australia Strategic Portfolio Management

ft:clusterId :

    - itbm

bundleId :

    - itbm

workflow :

    - Technology


---

# Target form

# Target form {#ariaid-title1}

Release version: Australia  
Updated March 12, 2026  
![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 6 minutes to read
Summarize  
![AI sparkle icon](https://servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ai-sparkle-icon) Summarized using AI  
This content was generated using new OpenAI-powered functionality. Results are provided on an as is basis and are not guaranteed to be accurate or complete.  

## Summary of Target form

The Target form in ServiceNow allows customers to track and measure progress toward specific goals within Operational Sustainability Workspace and Strategic Planning.
It provides a structured way to define, assign, and monitor targets linked to strategic objectives, enabling better performance management and accountability.
Show full answer Show less  

## Key Features

* **Target Identification and Association:** Define targets with a name, description, and associate them with goals. The form auto-populates some fields for ease of use.
* **State and Status Tracking:** Manage the target's lifecycle through states like Draft, In Progress, Approved, Achieved, etc., and monitor status with visual indicators such as Red, Yellow, and Green.
* **Progress Calculation:** Automatically calculates progress percentages based on the target type---Maximize or Minimize---with formulas that factor in actual, base, and target values. Supports weighted progress calculation when enabled.
* **Impact on Goal:** Assign numerical weights to targets reflecting their importance relative to others, influencing overall goal progress.
* **Assignment and Ownership:** Targets can be assigned to entities (e.g., business unit, department) and owners, with contributors identified for collaborative tracking.
* **Duration and Metrics Configuration:** Define start and end dates, unit of measure (quantitative like %, $, days, or qualitative like Yes/No), and target types (Maximize, Minimize, Milestone).
* **Target Values Management:** Set start values, baseline references, final target values, and actual values. The form supports check-in frequencies to break down targets into smaller intervals for detailed tracking.
* **Target Breakdown and Distribution:** Automatically create target breakdowns based on check-in frequency and specify if target values are spread cumulatively or non-cumulatively over time.
* **Confidentiality Controls:** Restrict access to sensitive targets by marking them confidential and defining allowed groups and users, especially for Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) classified goals.
* **Automation Capabilities:** Enable automation of actual value updates by linking targets to data sources such as Benefit Plans (requires PPM Standard), reducing manual effort.
* **Collaboration and Activity Tracking:** Add detailed comments to facilitate collaboration and track updates related to target progress.

## Practical Benefits for ServiceNow Customers

* **Enhanced Goal Management:** Customers can precisely define and monitor targets that drive strategic objectives, ensuring alignment and measurable outcomes.
* **Automated Progress Tracking:** Automatic progress calculations and value updates improve accuracy and reduce manual tracking workload.
* **Improved Accountability:** Assigning owners and contributors clarifies responsibilities and fosters collaboration.
* **Flexible Reporting and Visibility:** Configurable fields and confidentiality options ensure that the right users have access to appropriate information.
* **Granular Monitoring:** Check-in frequencies and target breakdowns allow customers to focus on short-term milestones within long-term goals.
* **Supports Sustainability and ESG Initiatives:** Specific fields and confidentiality support for ESG-classified goals align with modern governance and sustainability requirements.

## Usage Notes

* To view fields not shown by default, configure form layouts within the Operational Sustainability Workspace or Strategic Planning contexts.
* The target progress value always contributes to the overall goal progress, even if the target record is confidential.
* Automation via Benefit Plans requires the PPM Standard plugin and may require navigation adjustments depending on your UI version.  
Use the Target form to track and measure the progress of the
goals.
Note:  
For Operational Sustainability Workspace and Strategic Planning users, to view the other fields that aren't added to the default view or your custom form view on the form in the workspace, configure the default or custom form layout. For information on how to configure the form layout, see [Configuring the form layout](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=configure-form-layout&version=australia&pubname=australia-platform-administration&ft:locale=en-US). {#target-form-egm__table_rlc_24d_gyb__entry__2}

| Field | Description |
|-|-|
| Name | Name of the target. |
| Goal | Name of the associated goal. This field is auto-populated when creating a target from the Targets related list on the Goal form. |
| Description | Brief description of the target. You can refine target description using the Refine records skill, if the ServiceNow Otto for SPM application is installed. |
| State | State of the target. The state can be Draft, In progress, Approved, Complete, Pending, Achieved, Not Achieved, or Cancelled. |
| Status | Status of the target. The status can be Red, Yellow, Green, or No status. |
| Progress | Percentage of the target execution that is complete. The value is calculated automatically. If the Type field is set to Maximize, the progress value is calculated using the following formula: Progress = (Actual value - Base value) / (Target value - Base value) x 100 If the Type field is set to Minimize, the progress value is calculated using the following formula. Progress = (Base value - Actual value) / (Base value - Target value) x 100 For more information on how the progress value is calculated when the weight scale is defined, see [Progress value calculation](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/5AZOO3eWNm9u4TMlTbxHAQ "The progress or percentage complete value of goals is auto-calculated using different formulas. The formula depends on whether the goal has only targets, a combination of sub-goals and targets, and if it has weighted average calculation enabled."). |
| Impact on goal | A numerical value that represents the importance of the target relative to the other targets of the goal. If there are any subgoals present, they are also considered for relative weights and consequent progress calculation. By default, the value is (1) Neutral. The available options are: * (0) No impact * (1) Neutral * (2) Moderate * (3) High * (4) Very high * (5) Maximum {#target-form-egm__ul_slc_24d_gyb} Note: This field is available only when the sn_gf.weighted_average_enabled system property is set to Yes. |
| Assigned entity type | Entity type to which the target is assigned. For example, Business Unit, Department, Company, or Portfolio. |
| Assigned entity | Entity to which the target is assigned. |
| Owner | Owner of the target. By default, the name of the user creating the target is populated. |
| Contributors | Users who contributes to the achievement of the target. By default, the contributors of the associated goal are populated. |
[Table 1. Target form]

{#target-form-egm__table_rlc_24d_gyb} {#target-form-egm__table_gq1_rzz_fdc__entry__2}

| Field | Description |
|-|-|
| Start date | Start date for the target. By default, the start date of the associated goal is populated. |
| End date | End date for the target. By default, the end date of the associated goal is populated. |
[Table 2. Duration section of the Target form]

{#target-form-egm__table_gq1_rzz_fdc} {#target-form-egm__table_gcn_szz_fdc__entry__2}

| Field | Description |
|-|-|
| Unit of measure | Measure type for the specified value. Usage of the measure such as cost, time, and rate. The available measure types are stored in the Units \[sn_gf_units\] table. Unit of measure defines the type of the target as qualitative or quantitative. The available unit of measures for the quantitative target are #, $, %, and Days. The available unit of measure for the qualitative target is Yes/No. |
| Type | Target type that signifies the direction of achievement. * Maximize: The direction of the progress is toward the target value from the base value where the base value must be less than the target value. * Minimize: The direction of the progress is toward the target value from the base value where the target value must be less than the base value. * Milestone: Fixed type. Only the qualitative target values are allowed (that are set in the Unit of measure field for the target) to capture the achievement of the target. The Milestone option is applicable only for qualitative targets. {#target-form-egm__ul_rf3_q11_gdc} The Type field becomes read-only with the value populated as Milestone for qualitative targets (when the Unit of measure field is set to a qualitative target value). |
| Start value | Start value of the target. The start value can also be considered as the present or current value. This field becomes read-only when a value is entered in the Actual value field. Clear the Actual value field to update a value in the Base value field. This field is available when the Type field is set to Maximize or Minimize. |
| Final target value | Final target value of the target. The target value should be aspirational and should challenge the teams. This field is available when the Type field is set to Maximize or Minimize. |
| Baseline reference | Past achievement of the target to provide reference for future performance. This value is only for reference purpose and not considered for target progress calculation. |
| Actuals to date | Actual value of the target at a given time. This field is available when the Type field is set to Maximize or Minimize. |
| Check-in frequency | Option to specify breakdown intervals for the target and how frequently the owner or contributor should update the actual value of the target. Breaking down the target into smaller periods helps you set a target for smaller periods and focus on the specific breakdown targets. The available options are Daily, Weekly, Monthly, Quarterly, and Yearly. Target breakdowns are automatically created when you set this field to any of the available options other than None. For more details on target breakdowns, see [Target breakdowns in Strategic Planning](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/crLO9GOAkCxtxUBzTHGonA "Breaking down a target into smaller periods (for example, Monthly) helps you set a target value for each month and focus on that specific monthly target. The target breakdowns are automatically created based on the Check-in frequency and Target value distribution set for the target."). Note: The target breakdowns feature isn't supported for qualitative targets. |
| Target value distribution | Option to specify the target to be calculated cumulatively or non-cumulatively. The available options are Split equally across the time period (non-cumulative) and Spread linearly across the time period (cumulative). This field is available only when the Check-in frequency field is set to any of the available options other than None. |
| Remark | Remark entered by the user for business justification when updating the actuals. |
| Check-in due date | Due date that the owner or contributor of the target must update the actual value of the target to. |
| Confidential | Option to restrict the access for this target record to the specific users populated in the Allowed groups and Allowed users fields. This field is available when the Operational Sustainability Management application is installed and the sn_grc.enable_record_confidentiality property is enabled. This field is applicable only when the Classification field in the goal form of the target is populated as Environmental, Social, or Governance. The required role to configure this field is sn_esg.reader. Note: Irrespective of the target record set to confidential or not, the target progress value rolls up to its goal for calculating the progress value of the goal. |
| Allowed groups | User groups who can access the target record. This field is applicable only for the Operational Sustainability Workspace users. Even though a user group is populated in this field, the users can access the confidential record only if the user group has the sn_esg.reader role. This field is available when the Confidential field is set to true. |
| Allowed users | Users who can access the target record. This field is applicable only for the Operational Sustainability Workspace users. Even though a user name is populated in this field, the user can access the confidential record only if the user has the sn_esg.reader role. This field is available when the Confidential field is set to true. |
[Table 3. Metrics section of the Target form]

{#target-form-egm__table_gcn_szz_fdc} {#target-form-egm__table_phz_rzz_fdc__entry__2}

| Field | Description |
|-|-|
| Comments | Detailed comments for the target to facilitate collaboration. |
[Table 4. Target Automation section of the Target form]

{#target-form-egm__table_phz_rzz_fdc} {#target-form-egm__table_vgw_qzr_m3c__entry__2}

| Field | Description |
|-|-|
| Automate actual value | Option to enable the target automation feature for the target. |
| Actual value source | Target source table that the data is fetched from to auto-update the actual value of the target on the target's review due date. This field is available when the Automate actual value field is set to true. |
[Table 5. Activity section of the Target form]

{#target-form-egm__table_vgw_qzr_m3c}

## Variables section of the Target form {#target-form-egm__section_jzr_qfs_gdc}

This section appears based on the context variables available in the target source that is selected in the Actual value source field.  
When you select Actual value source as Benefit Plans ([predefined target automation script for benefit plans](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/JfDHx1qsHSENn_o9UwhemQ "Use the predefined Benefit Plans script as a target source to automate the actual value of your targets from the benefit plans of relevant work items.")), the Benefit Plan field appears in this section, from which you can select the required benefit plans for automating the actual value of the target.  
Note:  
You can use the Benefit Plans custom script only when PPM Standard (Project Portfolio Management) is installed. If you can't find the benefit plan that you want to select, you can find and select the same from Heisenberg UI by navigate to Enterprise Goal ManagementTargets and opening the Target form.

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