2. SMART Specific Measurable Achievable Relevant Time A specific objective has a Establish concrete criteria An objective must be This means two things; In the objective or action much greater chance of for measuring progress achievable with the that objective is important plan there has to be a being accomplished than toward the attainment of resources that are to the and children and date (Day/Month/Year) for a general goal. each objective you set. available. It must be families that access family when the task has to be When you measure your realistic. services and that the can started (if it’s ongoing) progress, you stay on actually have an impact and/or completed (if it’s To set a specific objective track, reach your target and influence the change short term or project you need to answer the Many objectives are dates, and experience the that is desired. related). six questions: realistic. However, the “W” feeling of achievement that time it takes to achieve drives you on to continued them may be unrealistic. To determine if the Is there a finish and/or a Who: Who is effort required to reach objective is relevant, ask start date clearly stated or involved? your objective. the questions: defined? What: What do I To determine if your want to accomplish? objective is achievable, To determine if your Where: Identify a ask the following Can the impact on the objective is measurable, location. questions: situation? ask questions: When: Establish a Do they have the time frame. necessary knowledge, What barriers stand Identify How much? authority and skill? between you and your requirements and How many? objective? constraints. How will I know when it How will each barrier Why: Specific is accomplished? be overcome and reasons, purpose or within what time benefits of frame? accomplishing the objective
2. SMART Specific Measurable Achievable Relevant Time A specific objective has a much greater chance of being accomplished than a general goal. To set a specific objective you need to answer the six “W” questions: Who: Who is involved? What: What do I want to accomplish? Where: Identify a location. When: Establish a time frame. Identify requirements and constraints. Why: Specific reasons, purpose or benefits of accomplishing the objective Establish concrete criteria for measuring progress toward the attainment of each objective you set. When you measure your progress, you stay on track, reach your target dates, and experience the feeling of achievement that drives you on to continued effort required to reach your objective. To determine if your objective is measurable, ask questions: How much? How many? How will I know when it is accomplished? An objective must be achievable with the resources that are available. It must be realistic. Many objectives are realistic. However, the time it takes to achieve them may be unrealistic. To determine if your objective is achievable, ask the following questions: What barriers stand between you and your objective? How will each barrier be overcome and within what time frame? This means two things; that objective is important to the and children and families that access family services and that the can actually have an impact and influence the change that is desired. To determine if the objective is relevant, ask the questions: Can the impact on the situation? Do they have the necessary knowledge, authority and skill? In the objective or action plan there has to be a date (Day/Month/Year) for when the task has to be started (if it’s ongoing) and/or completed (if it’s short term or project related). Is there a finish and/or a start date clearly stated or defined?