SMART; Characteristics of Good Objectives
 by
Phil Bartle

Workshop Handout

An objective is more specific than a goal; in what ways?
A Good Objective is SMART

 In preparing a project design, and when writing a proposal (for
 approval or for requesting funds), the goals of the project are
 stated. The goal is easily defined as the solution to the problem
 that has been identified. The problem with such a "goal" is that it
 is too general; it is not easy to obtain consensus as to when it has
 been reached. That is why, when preparing project documents, a
 distinction is made between a "goal" and an "objective." An
 objective is derived from a goal, has the same intention as a goal,
 but it is more specific, quantifiable and verifiable than the goal.

 Let us say that the problem identified by community members is "Lack
 of clean drinking water." The solution to that problem, the goal,
 then is "To bring clean drinking water to the community." You can
 demonstrate to the group the vagueness of this goal by going out of
 the room and returning with a single glass of water, showing it to
 them. "OK, here is some water. I have brought it to the community.
 Now, is the project complete? Have we achieved the goal?" Of
 course they might laugh or say that it was obvious that they did not
 mean only a glass of water when they said, "To bring clean drinking
 water to the community." Your reply is then that the project design
 or proposal must be very specific about each objective, so that
 there can be no room for different interpretations.

 Remember, every objective must start with the word , "To." An easy
 way to remember the characteristics of a good objective, is the
 acronym, "SMART." It stands for "Specific, Measurable, Achievable,
 Realistic and Time-Bound."

 S pecific
 M easurable
 A chievable
 R ealistic
 T ime-Bound.

 When identifying objectives as part of an exercise in
 preparing a project design or proposal, use the SMART acronym as a
 check list, to see if the objective is a good objective. (Making
 sure each objective begins with the word, "To.") The objectives must
 be derived from, and consistent with, the intention of the
 identified goals.

 The objectives of a project should be "SMART." They should be:

 Specific: clear about what, where, when, and how the situation
 will be changed;

 Measurable: able to quantify the targets and benefits;

 Achievable: able to attain the objectives
 (knowing the resources and capacities at the disposal of
 the community);

 Realistic: able to obtain the level of change reflected in the
 objective; and

 Time bound: stating the time period in which they will each be
 accomplished.

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 For more information on SMART, see:
 http://www.ala.org/acrl/is/organization/planning/objectives/suggestions.html
 http://www.careerbuilder.com/sales/powerhire/tips1.html
 http://www.careerinfocenter.com/topperform.htm
 http://www.cjapower.com/clientresources/perfpro2.php
 http://www.ifuw.org/planning/grex_devobj.htm
 http://www.marketingteacher.com/Lessons/lesson_objectives.htm
 http://www.powerhiring.com/services/performance_profiles.asp
 http://www.unt.edu/wmoen/publications/gilseval/g.htm
 http://www.wgrange.com/news/smart.html
 http://www.zisvaw.org/grants/goals.htm

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Updated: 2003 May 18