SMART (project management)
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SMART is a mnemonic used in project management at the project objective setting stage. It is a way of evaluating if the objectives that are being set are appropriate for the individual project.
A SMART objective is one that is specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound.
The origin of the term is unknown, but Peter Drucker, in his 1954 seminal work, "The Practice of Management" outlined a system that was very similar to SMART objectives while discussing objective-based management.
In recent years the term SMART (and more recently SMARTER [1]) as well as DUMB (doable, understandable, manageable & beneficial) have been used beyond the original confines of management by objectives (MBO) and project management. They are now in common usage in helping managers agree objective within appraisal and performance management systems.
[edit] Terms behind the letters
There is no clear consensus about precisely what the five keywords mean, or even what they are. Possible values are:
| Letter | Major Term | Minor Terms |
|---|---|---|
| S | Specific[2] | Significant[3], Stretching[3], Simple |
| M | Measurable[2] | Meaningful[3], Motivational[3], Manageable |
| A | Achievable[4][5] | Agreed, Attainable[6], Assignable[2], Appropriate, Actionable, Action-oriented[3] |
| R | Relevant[5] | Realistic[2], Results/Results-focused/Results-oriented[6], Resourced[7], Rewarding[3] |
| T | Time-bound | Time framed[2], Timed, Time-based, Timeboxed, Timely[6][5], Timebound, Time-Specific, Timetabled, Trackable |
| E[1] | Exciting, Evaluated | |
| R[1] | Recorded, Rewarding, Reviewed[8] |
Choosing certain combinations of these labels can cause duplication; such as selecting Attainable and Realistic; or can cause significant overlapping as in combining Measurable and Results; Appropriate and Relevant etc. Agreed is often used in management situations where buy-in from stakeholders is desirable.
This tool is commonly used in public services in the United Kingdom.[citation needed], and many private sector organizations as a part of their individual objective setting process (appraisal/ review etc.)
[edit] References
- ^ a b c How to write SMART objectives and SMARTER objectives. RapidBI.
- ^ a b c d e IT Project Management 4th Edition - Thompson Course Tech. - Kathy Schwalbe
- ^ a b c d e f Project Smart SMART Goals
- ^ Ten Steps to SMART objectives.cdr
- ^ a b c SMART Objectives
- ^ a b c ACRL - Writing Measurable Objectives
- ^ Favell, I. (2004) – The Competency Toolkit. Fenman, Ely, Cambs.
- ^ Introducing strategic fundraising. NICVA.
