SMART is a universal method for formulating goals. It is suitable for a variety of areas: from marketing, project management to coaching and self-development. This goal-setting technique was first described by strategic list to data planning expert George Doran in 1981 in the article “SMART — a method for describing management goals and objectives.”
Doran proposed a simple method for integrating goals with plans for their implementation. He stated that for effective management it is important to set specific, measurable and achievable goals and to outline the steps to achieve them. Numerous studies confirm that goals formulated using filling information gaps this method increase the likelihood of success.
In this article, we’ll look at the SMART technique and show you how to set SMART goals so that they’re motivating and transparent for you and your team.
SMART technology. Explanation
The name of the SMART method includes 5 criteria which goals or objectives are set:
S (specific) — concreteness
M (measurable) — measurability
A (achievable) — feasibility
R (relevant) — relevance
T (time bound) — time limited
A specific goal = clear to you and your colleagues. Everyone clearly understands what specific results to and what actions to taken to achieve this.
Measurable goal = you understand what metrics you will use to evaluate progress and determine that the result has been achieved.
Achievable goal = a goal that is realistically achievable given your resources (personnel, financial, time, etc.).
Relevant goal = a goal that is consistent with the global business strategy. Its achievement will contribute to the development of the business.
Time-bound goal = a goal that has a specific deadline.
How to formulate a goal using SMART
Setting smart goals can be challenging at first, but with regular practice, the skill will become established.
Experts in product development and management recommend that newcomers start by studying the product or topic that the goal is related to. Research and testing help identify potential growth areas and weak points. This email leads database approach sets the right direction for setting a SMART goal.
After conducting the analysis, answer yourself the questions that will help clarify the goal or objective:
What exactly needs to be achiev? What actions to achieve this result?
