Creating SMART Goals

Guidelines for Effective Goals

Goals need to be designed to facilitate producing results.  Effective goals have several characteristics. These characteristics are summarized by the acronym S.M.A.R.T.

S.M.A.R.T. Goals

Goals should be:

S Specific
M Measurable
A Attainable
R Realistic
T Tangible

"S" stands for specific. A specific goal has a much
greater chance of being accomplished than a general goal.

To set a specific goal ask yourself

Who: who is involved?
What: what do I want to accomplish?
Where: identify a location
When: establish a time frame.
Which: identify requirements and constraints.
Why: specify reasons, purpose, or benefits of accomplishment

Complete the example below by writing a SPECIFIC goal for each general goal:

General Goal: Get in shape

Specific Goal:

General Goal: Get organized

Specific Goal:

"M" stands for measurable. Establish concrete criteria for measuring progress toward the attainment of each goal you set. When you measure your progress, you stay on track, reach your target dates, and experience the exhilaration of achievement.

To determine if your goal is measurable, ask questions
such as:

How much?
How many?
How will I know when it is accomplished?

"A" stands for attainable. When you identify goals, you begin to figure out ways that you can make them come true. You begin seeing previously overlooked opportunities.

"R" stands for realistic. A goal must represent an
objective toward which you are both willing and able to work. A goal can be both high and realistic.

"T" stands for tangible. A goal is tangible when you can experience it with one of your senses? that is, taste, touch, smell, sight, or hearing. When your goal is
tangible, or when you tie an intangible goal to a tangible goal, you have a better chance of making it specific and measurable, and thus attainable.

Intangible benefits to be gained or losses to be avoided by goal achievement might include the enjoyment of greater respect from colleagues or family, a sense of accomplishment, or improved relationships with family and coworkers

I found this great book while working with a team to improve performance.  The name of the book is "Make Success Measurable!". 

In addition, I have produced a simple process to build the S.M.A.R.T. Goals.  It is a easy to use software program.  Go Here to learn about it.

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