Objective vs. Feature — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on May 18, 2024
An "objective" is a specific goal or intended outcome, while a "feature" is a characteristic or attribute of a product, service, or system.
Difference Between Objective and Feature
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
An "objective" is a clearly defined goal that an individual or organization aims to achieve. Objectives are often specific, measurable, and time-bound, providing a clear direction and purpose. A "feature," on the other hand, is a distinctive characteristic or functionality of a product, service, or system. Features describe what something can do or its specific attributes.
While objectives are about the desired outcomes or targets to be reached, features describe the inherent qualities or functionalities that help achieve those objectives. In product development, features are built to support the overall objectives of the product.
Objectives provide strategic direction and goals, whereas features are the tangible aspects that help fulfill those goals. For instance, in a software project, an objective might be to improve user satisfaction, and the features could include a user-friendly interface and fast loading times to achieve this objective.
Objectives are the "what" and "why" of a goal, while features are the "how" and "what" of a product or service's capabilities.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Specific goal or intended outcome
Characteristic or attribute of a product/service
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Focus
Desired outcomes and goals
Qualities or functionalities
Purpose
Provides direction and purpose
Enhances usability and value
Example
Increase sales by 20% in the next quarter
High-resolution camera in a smartphone
Nature
Strategic and goal-oriented
Tangible and descriptive
Compare with Definitions
Objective
A specific goal to be achieved.
The company's objective is to expand into new markets within a year.
Feature
A functionality that enhances usability and value.
One of the key features of the software is its intuitive user interface.
Objective
A target that provides direction and purpose.
Our primary objective is to improve customer satisfaction.
Feature
A specific quality or aspect.
The laptop's lightweight design is a notable feature.
Objective
A desired outcome that is measurable and time-bound.
Her objective is to finish the project by the end of the month.
Feature
An element that contributes to the overall performance.
The camera's high resolution is a standout feature of the phone.
Objective
An aim that guides decision-making and planning.
The objective of the meeting is to finalize the budget.
Feature
Any of the distinct parts of the face, as the eyes, nose, or mouth.
Objective
Existing independent of or external to the mind; actual or real
Objective reality.
Feature
Often features The overall appearance of the face or its parts.
Objective
Based on observable phenomena; empirical
Objective facts.
Feature
A prominent or distinctive part, quality, or characteristic
A feature of one's personality.
A feature of the landscape.
Objective
Uninfluenced by emotions or personal prejudices
An objective critic.
Feature
A property of linguistic units or forms
Nasality is a phonological feature.
Objective
A thing or group of things existing independent of the mind.
Feature
In generative linguistics, any of various abstract entities that specify or combine to specify phonological, morphological, semantic, and syntactic properties of linguistic forms and that act as the targets of linguistic rules and operations.
Objective
The objective case.
Feature
The main film presentation at a theater.
Objective
A noun or pronoun in the objective case.
Feature
A long, narrative movie, typically lasting more than one hour.
Objective
The primary optical element, such as a lens or mirror, in a microscope, camera, telescope, or other optical instrument, that first receives light rays from the object and forms the image. Also called object glass, objective lens, object lens.
Feature
A special attraction at an entertainment.
Objective
Of or relating to a material object, actual existence or reality.
Feature
A prominent or special article, story, or department in a newspaper or periodical.
Objective
Not influenced by the emotions or prejudices.
Feature
An item advertised or offered as particularly attractive or as an inducement
A washing machine with many features.
Objective
Based on observed facts; without subjective assessment.
Feature
Outward appearance; form or shape.
Objective
(grammar) Of, or relating to a noun or pronoun used as the object of a verb.
Feature
Physical beauty.
Objective
Of, or relating to verbal conjugation that indicates the object (patient) of an action. In linguistic descriptions of Tundra Nenets, among others.
Feature
To give special attention to; display, publicize, or make prominent.
Objective
A material object that physically exists.
Feature
To have or include as a prominent part or characteristic
The play featured two well-known actors.
Objective
A goal that is striven for.
Feature
To depict or outline the features of.
Objective
(grammar) The objective case.
Feature
(Informal) To picture mentally; imagine
Can you feature her in that hat?.
Objective
(grammar) a noun or pronoun in the objective case.
Feature
(obsolete) One's structure or make-up: form, shape, bodily proportions.
Objective
The lens or lenses of a camera, microscope, or other optical device closest to the object being examined.
Feature
An important or main item.
Objective
Of or pertaining to an object.
Feature
(media) A long, prominent article or item in the media, or the department that creates them; frequently used technically to distinguish content from news.
Objective
Of or pertaining to an object; contained in, or having the nature or position of, an object; outward; external; extrinsic; - an epithet applied to whatever is exterior to the mind, or which is simply an object of thought or feeling, as opposed to being related to thoughts of feelings, and opposed to subjective.
In the Middle Ages, subject meant substance, and has this sense in Descartes and Spinoza: sometimes, also, in Reid. Subjective is used by William of Occam to denote that which exists independent of mind; objective, what is formed by the mind. This shows what is meant by realitas objectiva in Descartes. Kant and Fichte have inverted the meanings. Subject, with them, is the mind which knows; object, that which is known; subjective, the varying conditions of the knowing mind; objective, that which is in the constant nature of the thing known.
Objective has come to mean that which has independent existence or authority, apart from our experience or thought. Thus, moral law is said to have objective authority, that is, authority belonging to itself, and not drawn from anything in our nature.
Feature
(film) feature film
Objective
Unbiased; unprejudiced; fair; uninfluenced by personal feelings or personal interests; considering only the facts of a situation unrelated to the observer; - of judgments, opinions, evaluations, conclusions, reasoning processes.
Objective means that which belongs to, or proceeds from, the object known, and not from the subject knowing, and thus denotes what is real, in opposition to that which is ideal - what exists in nature, in contrast to what exists merely in the thought of the individual.
Feature
Any of the physical constituents of the face (eyes, nose, etc.).
Objective
The objective case.
Feature
(computing) A beneficial capability of a piece of software.
Objective
The goal intended to be attained (and which is believed to be attainable);
The sole object of her trip was to see her children
Feature
The cast or structure of anything, or of any part of a thing, as of a landscape, a picture, a treaty, or an essay; any marked peculiarity or characteristic.
One of the features of the landscape
Objective
The lens or system of lenses nearest the object being viewed
Feature
(archaeology) Something discerned from physical evidence that helps define, identify, characterize, and interpret an archeological site.
A feature of many Central Texas prehistoric archeological sites is a low spreading pile of stones called a rock midden. Other features at these sites may include small hearths.
Objective
Undistorted by emotion or personal bias; based on observable phenomena;
An objective appraisal
Objective evidence
Feature
(engineering) Characteristic forms or shapes of parts. For example, a hole, boss, slot, cut, chamfer, or fillet.
Objective
Serving as or indicating the object of a verb or of certain prepositions and used for certain other purposes;
Objective case
Accusative endings
Feature
An individual measurable property or characteristic of a phenomenon being observed; the input of a model.
Objective
Emphasizing or expressing things as perceived without distortion of personal feelings or interpretation;
Objective art
Feature
(music) The act of being featured in a piece of music.
Objective
Belonging to immediate experience of actual things or events;
Concrete benefits
A concrete example
There is no objective evidence of anything of the kind
Feature
(linguistics) The elements into which linguistic units can be broken down.
Objective
A clear and specific goal.
Their objective is to reduce costs by 15%.
Feature
(transitive) To ascribe the greatest importance to something within a certain context.
Feature
(transitive) To star, to contain.
Feature
(intransitive) To appear, to make an appearance.
Feature
To have features resembling.
Feature
The make, form, or outward appearance of a person; the whole turn or style of the body; esp., good appearance.
What needeth it his feature to descrive?
Cheated of feature by dissembling nature.
Feature
The make, cast, or appearance of the human face, and especially of any single part of the face; a lineament. (pl.) The face, the countenance.
It is for homely features to keep home.
Feature
The cast or structure of anything, or of any part of a thing, as of a landscape, a picture, a treaty, or an essay; any marked peculiarity or characteristic; as, one of the features of the landscape.
And to her service bind each living creatureThrough secret understanding of their feature.
Feature
A form; a shape.
So scented the grim feature, and upturnedHis nostril wide into the murky air.
Feature
A prominent aspect of something;
The map showed roads and other features
Generosity is one of his best characteristics
Feature
The characteristic parts of a person's face: eyes and nose and mouth and chin;
An expression of pleasure crossed his features
His lineaments were very regular
Feature
The principal (full-length) film in a program at a movie theater;
The feature tonight is `Casablanca'
Feature
A special or prominent article in a newspaper or magazine;
They ran a feature on retirement planning
Feature
An article of merchandise that is displayed or advertised more than other articles
Feature
Have as a feature;
This restaurant features the most famous chefs in France
Feature
Wear or display in an ostentatious or proud manner;
She was sporting a new hat
Feature
A distinctive characteristic of a product or service.
The new app has several innovative features, including voice recognition.
Feature
An attribute that describes what something can do.
The car's features include a sunroof and heated seats.
Common Curiosities
What is an example of an objective?
An example of an objective is aiming to increase customer satisfaction by 10% over the next year.
Can features help achieve objectives?
Yes, features are designed to support and fulfill objectives.
What is a feature?
A feature is a characteristic or attribute of a product, service, or system that describes its functionalities.
Do objectives change over time?
Objectives can evolve as goals are met and new ones are set.
What is an example of a feature?
An example of a feature is a smartphone's facial recognition capability.
How do objectives and features differ?
Objectives are goals or desired outcomes, while features are the qualities or functionalities of a product or service.
How do objectives influence decision-making?
Objectives guide decision-making by providing clear goals and targets to aim for.
What is an objective?
An objective is a specific goal or intended outcome that provides direction and purpose.
Are features always tangible?
Features are usually tangible aspects of a product or service, but they can also include intangible qualities like software functionalities.
Can a product have multiple features?
Yes, a product typically has multiple features to address various user needs and preferences.
How do features enhance a product's value?
Features enhance a product's value by offering specific functionalities that meet user needs and preferences.
Are objectives measurable?
Yes, objectives are often specific, measurable, and time-bound.
Can a project have multiple objectives?
Yes, a project can have multiple objectives to achieve different outcomes.
Do features need to be updated?
Yes, features may be updated or improved to enhance product performance and meet new user needs.
Are features related to user experience?
Yes, features directly impact the user experience by defining the capabilities and usability of a product.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
