Which of the following best describes a long-range objective that requires multiple steps to complete?

• A. Short-term objective
• B. Milestone
• C. Long-term goal
• D. Target

Answer: (C)

Long-range planning uses a horizon that extends over months or years and needs multiple steps. A long-term goal captures that idea: it describes the final outcome you want to achieve over an extended period and signals that you’ll plan a sequence of actions, resources, and checkpoints to reach it. In cabinet making, for example, completing an entire kitchen cabinet set over several months would be a long-term goal, with milestones like design approval, material procurement, rough assembly, finishing, and installation along the way.

A short-term objective focuses on an immediate result or a much shorter time frame, so it doesn’t convey the multi-step path. A milestone is a significant stop along the journey, not the overall objective itself. A target is a specific end point or metric, which can be part of a plan but doesn’t inherently describe the need for multiple steps to achieve it.