[cite]
Back to: Business Management
What are SMART Goals and Objectives?
SMART is a method used in various industries as an organizational framework. Applying the individual elements of this framework is an effective method of developing goals and objectives. SMART is an acronym representing:
- Specific – Goals should be specific in what is sought to be accomplished and who is responsible for the goal.
- Measurable – Managers must be able to accurately determine progress toward completion and accomplishment of the goal.
- Achievable – Making goals achievable is an important aspect of motivating employees toward completion.
- Relevant – The individual goals and objectives must be relevant to the achievement of higher-level goals and objectives.
- Time-based – You must provide a timeline for the completion of goals as a method of organization and source of motivation.
Here are some additional tips for effective goals include:
- Fewer goals allow for a focus on whats important.
- Goals should measurably be linked to factors for company success.
- Goals should link past goals with present and future goals.
- Goals should be stakeholder focused – including owners, employees, the community, buyers, and suppliers.
- Goals should generate from or have buy-in from the top.
- Multiple objectives should be assessed collectively.
- Goals must be flexible and capable of change with the environment.
- Objectives must be realistic and based upon research and factual information.