The Drifting Goals structure is composed of two balancing loops which interact in such a way that the activity of one loop actually undermines the intended balance the other one seeks to achieve.

The Desired State interacts with the Current State to produce a Gap. This Gap influences Action intended to move the Current State in the direction of the Desired State. At the same time the Gap influences Action it creates a Pressure to Adjust Desire. This pressure essentially acts as an influence to reduce the Desired State. As the Desired State is undermined it works to reduce the Gap lessening the influence toward Action. The final result of this structure is that it reaches an equilibrium other than what was the initial Desired State.