SMART
From The Collaboratory
Contents |
Why be SMART?
SMART is an acronym & memory device for describing statements that are Specific, Measureable, Attainable, Results Oriented, and Time Based. Goal, specification, and activity statements can all be SMART. It is especially important to write SMART task assignments for members of your team. SMART statements facilitate team work by:
- Instructing team members on what steps they should take to complete an assignment.
- Establishing limits on the work so that team members can manage their time and know when they are done.
- Determining for team members what tangible outcomes (written information, a drawing, etc.) are expected.
The acronym
Specific
You and your team members are much more likely to accomplish a specific goal than a general goal. Specific goals answer "W" questions like:
- Who is involved?
- What they will do?
- When must it be done?
- Why do this?
Measurable
You can only manage what you can measure.
- Measurable goals are always explicit about the deliverables that will be in-hand when the goal is accomplished.
- They also answer questions like "How much?" and "How often?"
- Without a specific amount of work or progress the expectation is too vague, and vague expectations are quickly pushed to the back burner by specific ones.
Attainable
Attainable goals are usually those most important to the worker and the team. We discipline ourselves and commit resources to make such goals come true.
Attainable does not mean "easy;" it means "do-able." The people, skills, and material resources need not be in hand, but must be within reach. A well crafted goal may push the people and organization seeking to attain it, but it must not damage them. On the other hand, don't be afraid to set the bar high. Big goals are sometimes easier to attain because they produce more motivation.
A goal of never eating ice cream again may not be realistic or attainable for someone who really enjoys ice cream. That person might accomplish more with a goal of eating ice cream only once per week, and working from there to consider further reductions.
Results Oriented
A goal cannot usually be adequately measured unless it is results oriented. A goal which is specific and measureable with regard to procedure but does not mention any final results is a goal which cannot really be achieved. Without a result in mind, how can you tell the goal is met?
An attainable goal will explicitly identify one or more tangible outcomes, or results, which can serve as a benchmark of project success. These outcomes must be specific and able to be measured, otherwise they will mean very little. (See how it all ties together?)
Time Based
Well-written goals always establish a time frame for accomplishing them: next week, in three months, by the time you are twenty. Without a deadline the commitment is too vague. With no urgency to begin, goals without deadlines are rarely accomplished.
Note that "ASAP" is not a time frame. Work assigned for tomorrow or even next week may get done before "ASAP" work because no one knows how soon is "as soon as possible".
Examples
- A goal to "get in shape" will get you nowhere. Try a SMART goal like: Lose 10 lbs and lower resting heart rate to 74 bpm by May 1.
- A sample SMART activity statement for this goal might be: Buy a membership at a health club and workout 3 days a week for a month. Evaluate progress and make a new commitment at the end of the month.
- A goal to "help people in Zambia" will get you nowhere. Try a SMART goal like: Form a 3-year partnership with Compassionate Ministries of the Zambian Brethren in Christ Church to create jobs for AIDS orphans and survivors.
- A sample SMART activity statement for this goal might be: Develop a business plan by September for a paper making business in the Simaubi economic development zone.
- A sample SMART task assignment for this activity milestone might be: Prepare a bibliography of 5 must-read books or articls on best practices in micro-enterprise business planning, and bring a copy of the bibliography for reach team member to next week's meeting.
- A sample SMART activity statement for this goal might be: Develop a business plan by September for a paper making business in the Simaubi economic development zone.
- A task assignment to "research bio-diesel processing" will get you nowhere. Try a SMART task assignment like: Identify three small-scale commercial plant options and study the vendor literature. Bring the literature and a brief written assessment of the advantages and disadvantages of each option to next week's team meeting.
Alternative Acronyms
The SMART acronym is used with many variations, but all with the same basic ideas. If it helps you, here are some alternative acronyms which convey the same ideas:
