Goal status setup in ClickUp

In ClickUp, you can create custom statuses for goals and OKRs so your team can track progress with clear, consistent stages from start to completion.

This guide walks you through how goal statuses work, how to set them up, and how to edit or remove them as your workspace evolves.

How goal statuses work in ClickUp

Goal statuses in ClickUp describe the progress of a goal as it moves from planning to completion. They are different from task statuses and are used only for goals and OKRs.

Each goal has a single status at any given time, and that status is updated manually as owners or contributors review progress.

Default goal statuses in ClickUp

When you first start using goals, ClickUp provides a standard set of default goal statuses:

• Open: The goal is created and active, but not yet completed.
• Done: The goal has been fully achieved.
• Archived: The goal is no longer active and has been archived for reference.

These defaults work for simple setups, but most teams benefit from defining additional stages.

Why customize goal statuses in ClickUp

Custom statuses let you reflect your own goal or OKR workflow. For example, you might want to distinguish between goals you are still drafting and those ready for execution.

Benefits of custom goal statuses include:

• Clearer visibility into the lifecycle of each goal.
• Consistent language across departments and teams.
• Better reporting and review of goal progress.

Requirements for goal statuses in ClickUp

Before you customize goal statuses, it helps to understand how they behave in ClickUp.

• You can create multiple custom statuses for goals.
• Goal statuses are workspace-level settings, not space- or folder-specific.
• Only certain roles, such as workspace owners or admins, may have permission to edit them, depending on your workspace setup.

All goals must have at least one active status available so they can be created and managed successfully.

How to create custom goal statuses in ClickUp

Use the following steps to define new statuses for goals and OKRs in ClickUp. The exact location of buttons and menus may vary slightly based on updates to the interface, but the overall flow remains the same.

Step 1: Open goal settings in ClickUp

1. Sign in to your workspace in ClickUp.
2. Navigate to the area where you manage goals, often found in the Sidebar under Goals or a similar section.
3. Open the goal settings or goal configuration panel. This is where global goal options, including statuses, can be managed.

Make sure you have the correct permissions in ClickUp to change workspace-level goal settings.

Step 2: Add a new goal status

1. In the goal settings area, find the section labeled Statuses or Goal statuses.
2. Click an option such as Add status or a plus icon to create a new status.
3. Enter a short, descriptive name for the status, such as Draft, In Review, or On Hold.
4. Select a color if the interface provides a color picker. Distinct colors help you visually differentiate statuses in ClickUp.

When naming statuses, keep labels concise and meaningful so the whole team understands them at a glance.

Step 3: Organize the order of statuses

1. Drag and drop statuses into the sequence that best reflects your goal lifecycle.
2. Arrange them in a logical progression, for example: Draft → Active → In Review → Done.
3. Keep uncommon or rarely used statuses, such as On Hold, near the end of the list.

The order you choose determines how progress feels as you move from one status to another while managing goals in ClickUp.

Step 4: Save your custom goal statuses

1. Confirm that all statuses are named correctly and organized.
2. Click Save or a similar confirmation button to apply your changes.
3. New and existing goals will now display the updated set of statuses in ClickUp.

After saving, you can immediately begin assigning your new statuses to real goals and OKRs.

How to update or remove goal statuses in ClickUp

Over time, your workflow may change. You can edit or remove existing goal statuses to keep your setup aligned with how your organization actually works.

Edit an existing goal status in ClickUp

1. Open the Goal statuses section in your workspace settings.
2. Locate the status you want to modify.
3. Click its label to rename it, and adjust the color if needed.
4. Reorder it by dragging it to a different position in the list.
5. Save your changes to update the configuration for all goals.

Renaming or reordering statuses does not remove your goals; it simply changes how their current stages are labeled or displayed.

Remove a goal status in ClickUp

1. Go back to the goal status settings area in ClickUp.
2. Select the status you want to delete.
3. Click a delete or remove icon, such as a trash can.
4. If prompted, confirm the removal.

When removing a status, ensure that any goals that used it are reassigned to another appropriate status to keep reporting and tracking accurate.

Best practices for goal statuses in ClickUp

Thoughtful configuration of goal statuses helps keep your ClickUp workspace organized and easy to understand.

• Limit the number of statuses: Too many options can create confusion. Focus on the most important stages.
• Use clear names: Avoid ambiguous labels so everyone knows exactly what each status means.
• Align with your OKR process: Ensure your statuses match your quarter planning, review, and completion cycles.
• Review periodically: Revisit your goal statuses after major process changes or new team structures.

Consistent goal statuses make it easier to understand how initiatives are progressing across your organization when using ClickUp.

Additional resources

You can find the original product documentation for creating goal and OKR statuses in ClickUp here: Create statuses for goals and OKRs.

For strategic guidance on structuring work management systems and optimizing your use of ClickUp in a broader operations stack, you can explore consulting resources at Consultevo.

With well-designed goal statuses and a consistent process, your team can use ClickUp to manage goals and OKRs more effectively, keep stakeholders informed, and close the loop on every initiative.

Need Help With ClickUp?

If you want expert help building, automating, or scaling your ClickUp workspace, work with ConsultEvo — trusted ClickUp Solution Partners.

Get Help

“`