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SMART (SMART goals)

By Kinza Yasar

What are SMART goals?

SMART is a best practice framework for setting goals. A SMART goal should be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-bound. By setting a goal, an individual is making a roadmap for a specific target. The elements in the framework work together to create a goal that is carefully and thoughtfully planned out, executable and trackable.

The SMART acronym

The SMART goals were first outlined in 1981 by George T. Doran in volume 70, issue 11 of Management Review. In his article, titled "There's a S.M.A.R.T. Way to Write Management's Goals and Objectives," he described how business goals should have a meaningful effect on an organization by being measurable and achievable.

Often used for performance reviews, the acronym is intended to help a manager or other employee who is tasked with goal setting to clarify exactly what will be required for achieving success and to be able to share that clarification with others. Although it is used in professional settings, SMART goals can be used personally as well. For example, an individual in a small business could set a goal to have better and more efficient communication methods, set within a realistic and achievable target and time frame.

The SMART acronym has been tweaked over time and continues to vary depending on the person or business using it. At present, the SMART acronym refers to the following:

Benefits of SMART goals

SMART goals provide numerous opportunities for both personal and business success and can help achieve short-term and long-term objectives.

The following is a list of benefits that individuals and businesses can realize by incorporating the SMART mnemonic into their management by objectives philosophy:

Creating achievable SMART goals

SMART goals can provide momentum to both personal and professional objectives. By using the SMART framework, goal owners can keep track of time, hold themselves accountable and consistently track progress toward their ultimate goal.

The following is a breakdown of each SMART goal and how it can be crafted:

1. Specific. Being specific means there is no ambiguity surrounding the end goal. While it does not provide a detailed list of how the individual will achieve the goal, it eradicates the vagueness in terms of what they want to achieve.

To create specific goals, it is important to answer the following questions:

2. Measurable. A goal should be measurable, which means the person should be able to track and quantify the goal's progress. This helps the goal maker stay focused and on track with reaching deadlines.

A measurable goal should be created by answering the following questions:

3. Achievable. To achieve goals, they should be realistic. Depending on how important the end goal is, the individual might need to develop new skills and attitudes. While a realistic goal should amplify that person's abilities, it should remain doable and inspire motivation. For example, setting a goal of running a marathon in under three hours would be impossible for most people.

When setting an achievable goal, the following points should be considered:

4. Relevant. A goal should align with the broader business goal and must be appropriate to what that person is trying to accomplish.

A relevant goal should answer the following questions in the affirmative:

5. Time-bound. Finally, a goal should have a time period or a target end date. If the goal is expansive, it could be broken down into smaller, more manageable chunks. Setting up a realistic end date can create a sense of urgency, which can be beneficial in achieving the goal.

When setting up a time frame for a goal, the following questions should be answered:

SMART goals examples

Each element of the SMART framework plays a vital role in defining objectives to mapping out a clear plan for achieving those objectives.

The following are a few practical applications and examples of SMART goals:

Specific SMART goals

Measurable SMART goals

Achievable SMART goals

Relevant SMART goals

Time-bound SMART goals

Similar in concept to the SMART goals, a business process management (BPM) approach enables companies to continuously improve and renovate their business processes. Learn more about the best practices used for setting up successful BPM strategies.

03 Jun 2022

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