SMART GOALS

Explained

SMART Goals are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound objectives designed to provide clear direction and criteria for success. Here’s what each component means:

It helps your organization gain insights into their internal and external environments, enabling them to leverage strengths, address weaknesses, capitalize on opportunities, and mitigate potential threats.

A SWOT analysis helps facilitate informed decision-making and strategic planning. Once you’ve completed a SWOT Analysis:

Analyze and Prioritize:

• Specific: The goal is clear and unambiguous, detailing exactly what needs to be accomplished.
• Measurable: There are concrete criteria for tracking progress and determining when the goal has been met.
• Achievable: The goal is realistic and attainable, given available resources and constraints.
• Relevant: The goal aligns with broader business objectives and is meaningful to the organization's success.
• Time-bound: There is a defined deadline for achieving the goal, creating a sense of urgency and timeline for completion.

Using SMART criteria helps ensure goals are well-defined and reachable, enhancing focus and motivation.

Analyze and Prioritize

• Look at the matrix as a whole. Think about how you can use your strengths to capitalize on opportunities and counteract threats with each goal? How can you address your weaknesses around each goal?
• Determine which factors are most critical and should be addressed first.

Develop Action Plans For Each Goal. Determine and document how each goal can be achieved.

SMART Goals should be treated like a living document. Review and update it regularly to ensure it reflects the current situation.