"go through the motions" means to do something in a mechanical manner indicative of a lack of interest or involvement. Examples: His factory job was so boring that he just went through the motions. The student was so tired, but she still went through the motions of doing her homework.

You really should post the example with it. When the goal is assured, but you still have to do things to make it happen, we call that "going through the motions." If you had posted your example, I could have explained it more clearly.

a good question