How to set up goals tracking on ClickUp

intermediate 8 min read Updated 2026-03-18

Quick Answer

Set up goals tracking in ClickUp by navigating to the Goals section, creating new goals with specific targets, and connecting them to relevant tasks, projects, or folders. You can track progress through various metrics like task completion, numbers, or monetary values.

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Prerequisites

ClickUp account with workspace access
Admin or owner permissions for your workspace
Basic understanding of ClickUp's project structure
Existing tasks or projects to track against goals

Step-by-Step Instructions

Access the Goals feature

Click on Goals in the left sidebar of your ClickUp workspace. If you don't see the Goals option, click on your workspace name at the top-left and ensure Goals is enabled in your Settings > ClickApps. Toggle the Goals feature on if it's disabled.

Goals may not be available on all ClickUp plans - check your subscription level if the option is missing.

Create your first goal

Click the + New Goal button in the top-right corner. Enter a descriptive goal name in the title field and add a detailed description explaining what you want to achieve. Set the goal's Due Date and choose the appropriate Goal Owner from your team members.

Use SMART goal principles - make your goals Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

Configure goal targets and metrics

Scroll down to the Targets section and click + Add Target. Choose your target type: Tasks (completion-based), Numbers (custom numerical tracking), or Money (currency tracking). Set your target value - for example, "Complete 50 tasks" or "Reach $10,000 revenue".

You can add multiple targets to a single goal to track different aspects of your objective.

Connect tasks and projects to your goal

In the Link to Work section, click + Add to connect existing tasks, lists, folders, or projects. Search for and select the relevant work items that contribute to your goal. You can also create new tasks directly from this interface by clicking + New Task.

Linking specific tasks helps automate progress tracking and provides clear visibility into what work contributes to goal completion.

Set up automated progress tracking

Navigate to the Progress Tracking settings within your goal. Choose Automatic to let ClickUp calculate progress based on linked tasks completion, or select Manual if you prefer to update progress manually. For automatic tracking, specify which task statuses count as "complete".

Automatic tracking works best when your team consistently updates task statuses and follows your workflow processes.

Configure goal permissions and sharing

Click on the Sharing & Permissions tab within your goal settings. Set who can View, Edit, or Comment on the goal. You can share with specific team members, entire teams, or make it visible to your whole workspace. Enable Public Link if you need to share progress with external stakeholders.

Consider your organization's privacy needs when setting permissions - sensitive business goals should have restricted access.

Create goal folders and organize your goals

Back in the main Goals view, click + New Folder to organize related goals together. Name your folder (e.g., "Q1 2026 Objectives" or "Marketing Goals") and drag existing goals into the folder. Use the Filter and Sort options to view goals by owner, due date, or completion status.

Goal folders help maintain organization as your goal tracking system grows and makes it easier for team members to find relevant objectives.

Monitor and update goal progress

Regularly check your Goals dashboard to monitor progress. Click on individual goals to see detailed progress breakdowns, update manual targets, and review linked work completion. Use the Goal Progress widgets in your Dashboard to get quick overview of all goal statuses. Set up Notifications to receive updates when goals reach certain milestones.

Schedule weekly goal review meetings to discuss progress with your team and make adjustments to targets or timelines as needed.

Common Issues & Troubleshooting

Goals feature is not visible in the sidebar

Go to Settings > ClickApps and ensure the Goals feature is toggled on. Goals may not be available on all ClickUp plan tiers, so verify your subscription includes this feature.

Automatic progress tracking is not updating correctly

Check that your linked tasks are in the correct statuses and that your Progress Tracking settings specify the right completion statuses. Refresh the page and wait a few minutes for the system to sync.

Team members cannot see or edit shared goals

Review the Sharing & Permissions settings for the goal and ensure the appropriate team members or groups have been granted View or Edit access. Check that they have access to the linked tasks and projects as well.

Goal targets are not calculating properly with linked tasks

Ensure that your target type matches the work you've linked - task-based targets need task connections, while number or money targets require manual updates or specific custom field connections. Verify that linked tasks are actually contributing to the metric you're tracking.

Prices mentioned in this guide are pulled from current plan data and may change. Always verify on the official ClickUp website before purchasing.

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