Achieving Your Goals: Crafting SMART Objectives with Examples

Achieving Your Goals: Crafting SMART Objectives with Examples | Upskilling | Emeritus

Are you looking for the roadmap to success? Look no further! Setting SMART objectives is the key to making your goals turn into a reality. Here, we’ll provide you with an overview of what SMART objectives are, how to craft them and some examples to get you started. So let’s begin our journey towards success with SMART objectives or goals. 

What are SMART Goals?

SMART is an abbreviation used for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-Bound. These five criteria are used to assess whether a goal has been correctly set or not. Let’s break down each of the requirements in detail:

  • Specific 

This means that goals should be concrete and well-defined so that you can identify what needs to be done.

  • Measurable

The Goals should have measurable components so that you can track your progress and know when it has been achieved.

  • Achievable

Given the resources at your disposal, the goals should be realistic and attainable.

  • Relevant

Furthermore, the goals should be relevant to your long-term objectives and aligned with the organisation’s mission.

  • Time-Bound

Last, but not least, the goals should have a timeline or deadline so that they can be achieved within a certain period.

Where do SMART Goals Come From?

The concept of SMART goals originated from the work of a management consultant and university professor, George T. Doran. He wrote about it in his 1981 article, “There’s a S.M.A.R.T. Way to Write Management Goals and Objectives”, published in the Management Review Magazine. He argued that goals should be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-bound. Since then, the SMART goal framework has become one of the world’s most widely accepted models for practical goal setting.

Now that you know what SMART goals are and where they come from, let’s look at how to set them.

Also Read: Skills Gap: How to Keep Upskilling Yourself

How to Set SMART Goals?

The best way to set SMART goals is by following the steps mentioned below:

  • Identifying your Goal

The initial step in setting SMART goals is identifying the goal you want to achieve. It helps if you break down the goal into smaller, more manageable objectives to achieve the bigger ones gradually.

  • Setting a Timeline

As soon as you have identified the goal, you should set a timeline or deadline for achieving it. This will help in keeping you motivated and staying focused.

  • Defining the Scope

Further, you need to define the scope, which means that you need to clearly define what tasks and activities are involved for you to reach your goal. It also helps you in measuring progress along the way.

  • Getting Organised

Moving on, you need to make sure that all the resources and materials you need/require are easily accessible when needed. Having everything adequately organised will help you keep track of your work, progress and development.

  • Tracking your Progress

Finally, tracking your progress is essential as it helps you measure a goal’s success and identify all potential obstacles that might arise or crop up along the way. You can use multiple tools, such as spreadsheets, online calendars, or project management software, to help you.

So there you have it; setting SMART goals is an incredible and easy way to ensure that your intentions are well-targeted and your efforts are not in vain. Instead, your efforts are successful.

SMART Goals with Examples

Now that you know how to set SMART goals, let’s look at some examples.

Example 1

A great example of SMART goals is that if you want to launch a new product in 4 months, then break it down into smaller goals rather than trying to achieve bigger ones. You can easily do this in the following manner.

  • Specific: Researching and understanding the needs of the customers
  • Measurable – Conducting surveys and interviews with customers to know them better
  • Achievable – Developing prototypes for the product before launching the final product
  • Relevant – Setting up an entire team to work on the product development
  • Time Bound – Launching the product within 4 months; therefore, setting up a time limit

By breaking down your ultimate goal into smaller objectives, you can easily measure your progress along the way and ensure that everything is going according to your plan. This helps stay focused, motivated, on track and follow a timeline.

Example 2

Another example of SMART Goals is that if you want to increase the sales of your business in the next 6 months, then break it down into smaller goals like:

  • Specific: Identifying the potential customers and the target markets for your products
  • Measurable: Designing and strategising a marketing plan for the next 6 months
  • Achievable: Developing and planning a budget to support the 6-month plan
  • Relevant: Hiring additional staff or outsourcing services. This is to take help from them with the implementation process
  • Time Bound: The target is time bound wherein you want to Increase sales by 30% within 6 months.

Setting SMART Goals will help you streamline your efforts and ensure that they focus on achieving desired outcomes. It allows you to measure success and track progress more efficiently to ensure you are heading in the right direction. Following the five criteria can increase your chances of achieving success and reaching your goals on time. So give it a try today!

Overall, setting SMART goals is an excellent way to ensure that your efforts and intentions are well-targeted and that your chances of success are higher and better. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, SMART goal setting is an invaluable tool for anyone looking to succeed. It helps break down bigger goals into smaller ones and ensures that progress can be tracked easily. By following the five criteria of SMART Goals – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-Bound – you will increase your chances of achieving success and therefore reaching your goals on time will become easy. 

Emeritus offers various online courses to aspirants who want to gain leadership quality along with project management abilities. With guidance from top institutions and university experts, you will be able to equip yourself with the right skills and knowledge in management. 

About the Author


Content Writer, Emeritus Blog
Yashvi is a dynamic content creator with 5+ years of experience crafting content for global brands, specializing in tech, finance, and healthcare sectors for both B2B and B2C audiences. Her diverse knowledge base empowers her to create meticulously researched, value-packed content for the EdTech sector, catering to various audiences. In her downtime, she explores the realms of mental well-being, reflecting her holistic approach to personal and professional growth and deepening her empathy for her audience's pain points and needs.
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