Goal Defining

Transform a single strategic intent into a measurable, actionable goal file.

Responsibility

Define ONE goal. For goal hierarchies, invoke sys-decomposing-goals after.

Quick Start

• Classify input (canvas, natural language, hybrid)

• Extract strategic intent

• Identify canvas gaps (prompt if blocking)

• Derive target using formulas

• Create goal directory and write strategy/goals/active/{goal-dir}/goal.md

Input Classification

Canvas Input

Indicators:

• References strategy/canvas/*.md files

• Contains structured frontmatter

• Uses canvas terminology (mode, segments, GTM)

• Contains metric targets from canvas

Action: Read referenced files → extract values → derive target

Natural Language Input

Indicators:

• Conversational phrasing ("I want to...", "We need to...")

• Vague quantifiers ("more", "better", "increase")

• Missing time bounds or baselines

• No canvas file references

Action: Extract intent → map to category → ask clarifying questions → derive target

Hybrid Input

Indicators:

• References canvas with verbal context

• Partial data with narrative

• Mode awareness with conversational goals

Action: Extract structured first → supplement with intent

Intent Extraction

From Natural Language

User Says Intent Category

"grow revenue" increase_arr revenue

"more customers" acquire_customers revenue

"book more meetings" increase_meetings activity

"generate leads" increase_mqls activity

"publish more content" increase_content content

"speed up sales" reduce_cycle_time efficiency

"reduce CAC" optimize_cac efficiency

"keep customers" improve_retention retention

From Canvas

Section Extractable Data

00.mode.md

Metric framework (MRR vs ARR)

04.segments.md

ICP-specific targets

08.pricing.md

ARPU for revenue calculations

13.metrics.md

Current baseline values

15.gtm.md

Channel-specific capacity

Canvas Dependencies

Required (blocking if missing)

File Purpose

strategy/canvas/00.mode.md

Determines metric framework

strategy/canvas/13.metrics.md

Provides baseline values

Recommended (use defaults if missing)

File Default If Missing

strategy/canvas/08.pricing.md

$50K avg deal

strategy/canvas/07.uvp.md

25% win rate

strategy/canvas/15.gtm.md

Equal channel distribution

Target Derivation

Revenue Targets

Pipeline from revenue:

• Formula: target_revenue / win_rate

• Default win_rate: 0.25

• Example: $1M / 0.25 = $4M pipeline

Meetings from pipeline:

• Formula: pipeline / (opp_rate × avg_deal_size)

• Default opp_rate: 0.30, avg_deal: $50K

• Example: $4M / (0.30 × $50K) = 267 meetings

Activity Targets

Outreach from meetings:

• Formula: meetings / meeting_rate

• Default meeting_rate: 0.02

• Example: 267 / 0.02 = 13,350 touches

MQLs from SQLs:

• Formula: sql_target / mql_to_sql_rate

• Default mql_to_sql: 0.40

Efficiency Targets

Conversion improvement:

• Formula: current_rate + improvement_target

• Default improvement: 5 percentage points

Cycle time reduction:

• Formula: current_days × (1 - reduction_pct)

• Default reduction: 15%

Output

Directory Structure

Each goal gets its own directory under strategy/goals/active/ :

strategy/goals/active/{goal-dir}/ └── goal.md # Parent goal definition

Subgoals (created by sys-decomposing-goals ) are added as numbered files in the same directory.

Goal Directory and ID Format

{short-name}-{period}

The goal_id in frontmatter matches the directory name. Use concise, descriptive names.

Examples:

• ea-revenue-q1 → strategy/goals/active/ea-revenue-q1/goal.md

• distribution-q1 → strategy/goals/active/distribution-q1/goal.md

• conversion-q1 → strategy/goals/active/conversion-q1/goal.md

File Structure

goal_id: {goal_id} name: {human readable name} category: {revenue|activity|content|efficiency|retention} target_value: {number} target_unit: {currency|count|percentage|days} target_direction: {maximize|minimize} period_start: {YYYY-MM-DD} period_end: {YYYY-MM-DD} period_type: {quarterly|monthly|weekly|annual} baseline_value: {number} baseline_source: {file path or "user_provided"} baseline_date: {YYYY-MM-DD} parent_goal: {goal_id|null} child_goals: [] thread: null derivation_formula: {formula name} derivation_assumptions: [{name}: {value}] ownership_accountable: {role} ownership_contributors: [{roles}] constraints_budget: {number|null} constraints_headcount: {number|null} constraints_capacity: {description|null} confidence_score: {0.0-1.0} status: active created: {YYYY-MM-DD}

{Goal Name}

Target

{target_value} {unit} by {period_end}

Current State

{baseline_value} {unit} as of {baseline_date}

Gap Analysis

• Absolute Gap: {target - baseline} {unit}
• Relative Gap: {gap_percentage}%
• Required Pace: {daily_required} {unit}/day

Derivation

Source: {parent_goal or "Direct input"} Formula: {formula_description}

Assumptions

Milestones

Risk Factors

• {risk_1}
• {risk_2}

Constraints

• Budget: {amount or "None"}
• Headcount: {count or "None"}
• Capacity: {description or "None"}

Milestone Generation

Linear Distribution

Even split across period:

• Formula: baseline + (gap × milestone_fraction)

• Use when: Steady-state activity

Front-Loaded

More progress early:

• Distribution: [40%, 30%, 30%]

• Use when: Building momentum

Back-Loaded

Acceleration expected:

• Distribution: [20%, 30%, 50%]

• Use when: Ramp-up required

Workflow

1. RECEIVE input (canvas reference, NL, or hybrid)

2. CLASSIFY input type └── Canvas: Read files, extract structured values └── NL: Extract intent, ask clarifying questions └── Hybrid: Extract structured first, supplement

3. CHECK canvas dependencies └── Required missing: STOP, prompt user └── Recommended missing: Use defaults, flag

4. DERIVE target └── Apply appropriate formula └── Record assumptions used

5. CALCULATE milestones └── Determine distribution pattern └── Generate milestone dates and values

6. WRITE goal file └── Create directory: strategy/goals/active/{goal-dir}/ └── Write: strategy/goals/active/{goal-dir}/goal.md └── Format: Frontmatter + prose (no inline YAML)

7. UPDATE index └── Add to strategy/goals/index.md

8. RETURN goal_id for downstream use

Integration

Upstream

• Human input (conversational or structured)

• Canvas files for baseline data

Downstream

• sys-decomposing-goals : Break into subgoals

• sys-activating-goals : Create execution thread

• sys-tracking-goals : Monitor progress

Boundaries

This skill provides:

• Input classification

• Intent extraction

• Canvas gap detection

• Single goal derivation

• Goal file generation

This skill does NOT:

• Decompose goals into subgoals (use sys-decomposing-goals )

• Create execution threads (use sys-activating-goals )

• Track progress (use sys-tracking-goals )

• Modify canvas sections

Examples

Example 1: Canvas Input

Input:

Set Q1 revenue goal based on strategy/canvas/13.metrics.md

Process:

• Read 13.metrics.md → current_arr: $650K

• Read 00.mode.md → VENTURE mode, ARR focus

• Apply 30% growth default → target: $845K

• Create directory and write goal file

Output:

strategy/goals/active/arr-q1/ └── goal.md

Example 2: Natural Language Input

Input:

I want to hit $1M ARR by end of Q1

Process:

• Extract: intent=target_arr, value=$1M, period=Q1

• Ask: "What's your current ARR baseline?"

• User: "$650K"

• Calculate gap: $350K (35%)

• Create directory and write goal file

Output:

strategy/goals/active/arr-q1/ └── goal.md

Example 3: Hybrid Input

Input:

Based on our bootstrap mode and current metrics, I want to add 50 new customers this quarter

Process:

• Read 00.mode.md → BOOTSTRAP confirmed

• Read 13.metrics.md → current_customers: 120

• Target: 170 customers (+50)

• Create directory and write goal file

Output:

strategy/goals/active/customers-q1/ └── goal.md