Status ranges will allow you to automate status updates for your goals based on the status rules that you set. Let's take a look at the different goal types and how you can set status ranges for each.
Number
If a number goal has a singular date (either start date, end date, or none), you can set rules based on the difference between the current value and the goal value at any given time.
When comparing the current value to the goal value, we define 'On track' as being above or within a given value or 'threshold'. This threshold is set by you. Similarly, 'At risk' is another threshold that can be set.
For example, if a goal value is '10 units', you could define 'On track' as being above or within '1 unit' of the goal, while 'At risk' is within '3 units' of the goal.
In this scenario, if the current value is '8 units', the goal would be considered 'At risk'. If the current value was '9 units', the goal would be 'On track'.
If a number goal has both a start and an end date, you can set rules based on the difference between the current value and the expected value at any given time. We calculate the expected value for you assuming a linear progression toward your goal for the duration of the goal.
For example, if you had a goal that started on March 1st and ended on March 31st with a goal value of '31', the expected value on March 10th would be 10. The threshold logic remains the same as a goal without a start and end date.
Stay within a limit
A number goal can also stay within a limit instead of reaching a target, for example a budget or a response time.
Open the goal and select Edit goal, then go to Status.
Under What should this goal do?, choose Stay within a limit. Under How should status update?, choose Automatic.
Under Keep the value, choose At or above the goal or At or below the goal.
Enter the At risk boundary. It can be above, below, or equal to the goal value.
Values between the goal value and the boundary, including both, are At risk. Values past that range on the good side are On track, and values past it on the other side are Off track.
For example, a cost goal of 400 that should stay at or below the goal, with an At risk boundary of 450: 400 to 450 is At risk, under 400 is On track, and over 450 is Off track.
Actions completed / Overdue actions
The status logic for action goals is similar to the logic for number goals without a due date. We do not support status ranges for action goals with a start and end date at this moment.
Unlike number goals, the status of action goals is automatically calculated and updated once per day based on the number of completed or overdue actions and the status ranges that exist on the goal. If you would like the latest status, just click 'Refresh' in the bottom right corner of the goal.
Status
Status goals are the only goal type where status updates are set to 'Automatic' by default. For status goals, the status of the goal is defined by the status of its sub-goals. If all of the sub-goals are 'On track', the goal will also be marked as 'On track'. However, if one of the sub-goals is 'At risk', then the status of the goal will be 'At risk'. Status goals take on the status of whatever the 'worst' sub-goal is.
As you can see below, 'Maintain #1 position on Google' has been marked as 'At risk' so the status of the goal has automatically been set to 'At risk'.
If you would prefer that the status be updated manually for these goal types, open Edit goal, go to Status, and under How should status update? choose Manual.