Hi Becki.

To introduce myself I'm the Talent Experience (Perform) Product Manager.

Firstly to clarify.

I assume when you say 'Objectives' you mean Objectives in Learning Plans?

Assuming that.  The intent to Objectives vs Goals in Learning Plans was to separate Learning Objectives from achievement Goals.  Functionally they (broadly) act as analogs.

Learning objectives are not (thus far) replicated in Perform.

Using Goals to manage Learning Objectives

See https://help.totaralearning.com/display/TH15/Goals

I see no reason why a Goal Type of 'Learning'.  If you continue using Learning Plans You can link Goals in the same way that you would an Objective.

This will make your 'Learning Goals' available to the Goals review question type in performance activities.

Performance Activity Goal Review question type

Goals are able to be reviewed and the Goal's status can be set as part of the Goal review question element.  https://help.totaralearning.com/display/TH15/Adding+review+item+question+type.

This doesn't support modifying the Goal's description in the review.  nor does it support the creation of new Goals from within the performance activity.  These 2 actions require that you edit the Goals itself.

One other advantage of using Goals is that unlike objectives a single common goal can be assigned to many learners.

Roadmap for v17/18 in this regard.

All the underlying features in this area are due for replacement.  I stress at the moment these are my views, these ideas require validation with our user community to determine priority for what we should deliver first.  Regardless, in my order of priority

1. The ability to manage Goals within a performance activity
   Clearly its desirable to be able to both review and re-set Goals within a review process that is managed in a performance activity.
   We demoed design to deliver this late last year.
2. Goals re-design
   The current Goals solution in Totara is missing some of the features expected in a modern Goals solution and the current user experience could be modernised.
3. Learning Plans reimagined as 'My learning Development Plan'
   Learning Plans in pre v13 versions were the mechanism by which Learning, Competency, Goals and (Learning) Objectives could be linked to a learner.  In Post v13 TXP version this has largely been replaced by the assignment system.  What remains (in my view) in the notion of a learning development plan. 
   I think we can turn the current concept on its head and instead of saying "you can link your (learning) work into a plan" we can say "you have been assigned learning work, lets set learning Goals for how you will achieve your learning and Competency into a Learning Development Plan"

Well that's my thoughts.  I hope that was helpful to set some context of where I think we are/need to be

Have a look at the review question in performance activities.   If you have questions don't hesitate to ask.

Thanks

Phil