At their very best, objectives and outcomes help students focus, and set clear expectations for what is required in order to succeed. They also help authors focus and keep them on track with their writing.
If an author is uncomfortable with the academic terminology, they can still include objectives, outcomes, and/or goals, and call them something else. An editor can help with identify and articulating objectives and outcomes that best serve the book and the students who will use it.
Used on their own, or in conjunction with key terms and concepts, learning objectives, outcomes, and/or goals are outstanding ways to prepare students for expository content and set them up for successful learning.