The debate about the origin of the SMART goal system rages on but most believe that it was first described by George T. Doran in the November 1981 issue of Management Review. There have been many variations on the definition of each letter in the acronym, but the concept remains solid in that it is a technique to make sure that a goal statement is clearly understood, can be communicated to others and can be achieved as described.
In order to write a good SMART goal statement it is important to review examples of poorly written goal statements and then their corrected SMART versions. This technique can be used when teaching goal setting.
Sample or Example SMART Goal Statements
Vague Goal Statement: I want my job to be a good fit.
SMART Goal Statement: By the end of November of [insert year], I will be in a position that fits with my Myers Briggs Type Indicator (e.g. ENFJ), utilizes my top ten transferable skills, fits my top five career values, correlates with my top 5 passions, provides for the top five work environment preferences I have (e.g. short commute, open concept office, matrix management style, natural light in work area and perfume free environment). I will join a job search club, research to create a list of 50 companies that fit with my good fit profile and participate in ten or more networking events.
Vague Goal Statement: I will take some professional development courses.
SMART Goal Statement: By January 1st of [insert year], I will have researched and decided on five courses I want to complete over a three year period. I will register in my first course to start September of [insert year]. My course plan fits with my five year career plan and I will have determined a budget and gathered the financial resources and family support in place prior to January 1st [insert same year as above].
Vague Goal Statement: I want a raise.
SMART Goal Statement: By December 1st of [insert year], I will have positioned myself to ask for a raise of a minimum of 10% of my salary by cutting my department’s budget by 10% and increasing my departments sales by 10%.
Vague Goal Statement: I want to buy a house.
SMART Goal Statement: I will have secured a mortgage with payments of no more than 33% of my earnings and bought a minimum of a three bedroom detached house by January 1, [insert year].
Whether you are teaching the SMART goal setting concept or trying to apply it to your own goal setting process, reviewing SMART goal examples will illustrate how writing solid goal statements is half the battle when setting and achieving goals.
Reference:
Doran, George T. “There’s a S.M.A.R.T. way to write management’s goals and objectives.” Management Review 70.11 (Nov. 1981): 35.
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