What is SMART Goal Setting? | Definition and Overview

SMART is a framework for setting clear goals in project management. It stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound. ProductPlan TrynowSigninSMARTGoalSettingWhatisSMARTgoalsetting?SMARTframeworkprovidestheframeworkforsettingclear,attainablegoalsinprojectmanagement.TheacronymstandsforSpecific,Measurable,Attainable,Relevant,andTime-bound.ASMARTgoalincorporatesalloftheseelementstobringgreaterclarity,focus,andmotivation,allofwhichhelpincreasetheoddsofsuccessfullyachievingthedesiredresults.WhatistheHistoryofSMARTGoalSetting?TheSMARTgoal-settingapproach,commonlyattributedtoPeterDrucker,aprolificauthor,andmanagementconsultantwhosewritinghelpedshapemodernbusiness,firstappearedinaNovember1981issueofManagementReview.Sincethen,SMARThasevolvedtofacilitatebroaderinterpretationsthantheoriginalintent.TheacronymhasevenexpandedtoSMARTERforsomeinordertoaccommodatetwoadditionalcriteria:EvaluatedandReviewed.HowisitUsefulforProductManagement?Identifyingandestablishinggoalsisanever-presentandmajorpartofaproductmanager’sveryexistence.SMARTgoalsettingcanhelpPMsandproductteamscreaterealistic,attainablegoalsandsticktoaplan.CaitPorte,theco-founderofBostonWomeninProductandforcebehindProductManagerinHeels,writes:“Forproductmanagers,settinggoalsforyourproductsandroadmapsonamonthly,quarterlyandannualbasiswillhelpyouwithyouraccomplishments,andprovidethevisibilityintoyourworkthatseniormanagersarelookingfor.…Whateverthegoal,makesurethatitfollowstheoutlineofSMARTgoalsandIguaranteeitwillbemoreachievablethanifyouhadn’t.”OnceaPMhasaroadmap,SMARTgoalscanhelpbringclarity,focus,andmotivationtoactionabletasks.Byhavingtodefineobjectivesandsetdeadlines,PMsaremorelikelytoachievesuccess.HowtoCreateaSMARTGoalHerearethestepstousingthisframeworktocreate,develop,andachieveaclear,meaningfulgoal.1.Specific:Defineaclear,specificgoal.2.Measurable:Makesureyourgoalismeasurablesoyoucantrackprogress,whichhelpsyoustayfocusedandmeetdeadlines.3.Attainable:Createagoalthatisrealistic.Itshouldn’tbelimitingbutshoulddefinitelybeattainable.4.Relevant:Ensureyourgoalmatterstoyouandalignswithyourothergoals,aswellastheneedsoftheorganization.5.Time-bound:AssignatargetdatesothatyourSMARTgoaldoesn’tgetlostinthemixofday-to-daydemands.Relatedterms:Roadmap,ProductStrategy,ProjectRoadmap,DesignThinking,SprintGoal,ProductVision,Backlog.TryProductPlanFreefor14DaysGetstartedinminutes—nocreditcardrequired. TryItFree  Tweet Share Tweet Share Tweet Share LinkedIn