Certified Prevention Specialist CPS Practice Exam 2025 - Free CPS Practice Questions and Study Guide

The characteristic that distinguishes objective statements from goals or mission statements is that objectives are typically specific, measurable, achievable, and time-bound (often referred to as SMART criteria). This means that objectives provide clear, actionable steps that can be quantified and assessed over a certain period, allowing for the evaluation of progress and success.

In contrast, goals and mission statements tend to be broader and more general. Goals articulate a desired outcome but may not specify how or when it will be achieved, while mission statements convey an organization’s purpose and core values without going into the specifics of implementation.

Other options, while they relate to different aspects of planning and evaluation, do not encapsulate the precision and clarity inherent to objective statements as effectively as the SMART criteria. For instance, the classification of statements based on time frames does not establish the measurable and specific nature of objectives, nor do distinctions based on outcomes, processes, or resources capture the actionable quality that defines objectives.