Outcome goals concern the final result relative to other competitors, performance goals specify a personal standard to achieve, and process goals focus on the actions or techniques required during performance. They differ mainly in their focus and how much control the athlete has over achieving them.
Goal setting is covered in IB SEHS subtopic C.5.1 Goal setting. The three goal types can support one another: process goals guide execution, which can improve performance and increase the likelihood of achieving an outcome goal.
| Goal type | Meaning and example | Athlete's control |
|---|---|---|
| Outcome goal | Focuses on the competitive result, such as “win the 400 m final” or “finish in the top three.” | Lowest control because success also depends on opponents and external conditions. |
| Performance goal | Focuses on achieving a measurable personal standard, such as “run 400 m in under 52 seconds.” | Greater control because it is based mainly on the athlete's own performance, although conditions may still affect it. |
| Process goal | Focuses on specific actions, techniques, or strategies, such as “maintain an effective arm drive throughout the final 100 m.” | Highest control because it concerns what the athlete does during training or competition. |
For example, a swimmer might set the outcome goal of winning a race, the performance goal of recording a personal best, and the process goal of maintaining an effective body position during each length. Even if another swimmer wins, the athlete may still achieve the performance and process goals.
A common misconception is that performance goals and outcome goals are the same because both can involve results. However, an outcome goal depends on comparison with others, whereas a performance goal uses a self-referenced standard.
In an IB response, define each goal type, provide a sport-specific example, and distinguish them using controllability. For an “explain” question, also show the causal link: effective process goals can improve performance, which makes the desired competitive outcome more likely.