Intent

Intent

It could be assumed that intent is the same as goal, objective or purpose. In some ways it is. Intent outlines what needs to be done. For example, in terms of architecture, design intent is the direction in which an architect will lead a project, like following a brief to satisfy certain needs or specifications.

For our purpose, intent is what we want to achieve not only as an end result in our collaborative project, but also as a process by which we achieve that end product. Each decision is born of a problem, or an issue that needs to be resolved. Each of these decisions requires some form of intent, whether that intention is to resolve a conflict, produce a model or even simply establish a schedule for meeting times.

Intent flows from reason. An objective is merely an objective until one reasons out how to head in the right direction. Of course what one intends can be different to the outcome, thus why intent can be considered to be directional. An intention is influenced by many variables, many of which we consider obstacles when addressing a problem, such as timeframe, skill level, group members and availability of information.

Knowing this, it only takes a bit of further reading to get to the real crux of what intent is. Its etymological roots give a much clearer idea of what intent means. Intent, to intend, intention. These words all derive from the old French word intendre which means “to direct one’s attention” as well as the Latin word intendere which means “turn one’s attention to, strain” or specifically in, “toward” + tendere, “to stretch”. To stretch toward.

Intent now draws its differences from mere goal, objective or purpose. In essence it is the vector form of these words. Intent does not just entail having a goal, it means to stretch out toward achieving a goal. Its driving force is one’s own capabilities and their acknowledgement of the best possible way of achieving something.