Ecosyste.ms: Awesome

An open API service indexing awesome lists of open source software.

Awesome Lists | Featured Topics | Projects

https://github.com/joelparkerhenderson/smart_criteria

SMART criteria for goals, objectives, plans, etc.
https://github.com/joelparkerhenderson/smart_criteria

Last synced: 4 days ago
JSON representation

SMART criteria for goals, objectives, plans, etc.

Awesome Lists containing this project

README 

        



# SMART criteria



SMART criteria for goals, objectives, plans, tasks, etc.:



* Specific: target one area clearly and precisely.

* Measurable: quantify progress toward success by using metrics.

* Achievable: able to start, able to continue, and able to accomplish.

* Relevant: closely connected to what's happening and being considered.

* Timely: occurring at a favorable or useful time and opportune.



Wikipedia: [SMART critera](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SMART_criteria)



SMARTER criteria adds two letters:



* Evaluate: examine the work in progress and after, to adjust as needed.

* Reward: Recognize success, acknowledge achievements.



Related FAST criteria:



* Frequently discussed: shape the key discussions for getting work done. 

* Ambitious: intended to satisfy high aspirations and challenging to achieve.

* Specific: target one area clearly and precisely.

* Transparent: open, clear, and shared with the team and organization.



## Specific



Target one area clearly and precisely.



Questions that may help:



  * Scope: What is in scope versus out of scope?

  * Functionality: What are the inputs, processes, and outputs?

  * Understanding: What is the terminology, ubiquitous language, etc.?

  * Results: What are any objectives, outcomes, impacts?

  * Phrasing: Can you use positive phrases and action verbs? 



Alternatives:



  * Strategic: relating to the identification of long-term or overall aims and interests and the means of achieving them.



## Measurable



Quantify progress toward success by using metrics.



Questions that may help:



  * What metrics are being used and why?

  * How do measurements help manage the work and improve it?

  * What are the key performance indicators?

  * What are any leading indicators and lagging indicators?

  * How do various stakeholders access the metrics?



Alternatives:



  * Motivating: stimulate interest in, or enthusiasm for, doing something.



## Achievable



Able to start, able to continue, and able to accomplish.



Questions that may help:



  * Who is working on this? List any roles, responsibilities, participants, etc.

  * What resources are needed? List any inputs, dependencies, materials, etc.

  * How are the challenges? List any risks, assumptions, constraints, etc.



Alternatives:



  * Actionable: ready to start and possible to accomplish.

  * Accomplishable, Attainable: can be successfully completed.

  * Assignable: can be given to a person or team who are responsible.

  * Agreed: discussed or negotiated and then accepted by all parties.

  * Action-oriented: willing or likely to take practical action to deal with a problem or situation.

  * Ambitious: intended to satisfy high aspirations and challenging to achieve.

  * Aligned: coming together in agreement or alliance.



## Relevant



Closely connected to what's happening and being considered.



Questions that may help:



  * Can you summarize the purpose, rationale, etc.?

  * Can you summarize the context, connections, etc.?

  * How does this relate to the participants, their roles, and goals?

  * How does this interconnect with other work, such as positively or negatively?



Alternatives:



  * Relatable: able to be shown or established to have a causal or logical connection to something.

  * Realistic: having or showing a sensible and practical idea of what can be achieved or expected.

  * Resourced: provided with materials, money, staff, and other assets necessary for effective operation.

  * Reasonable: sensible, appropriate, and fair.

  * Results-based: focused on valuable outcomes.



## Timely



Occurring at a favorable or useful time and opportune.



Questions that may help:



  * When is this happening?

  * Why is the timing important?

  * Where can participants see a timeline, or calendar, or schedule, etc.?

  * Is there anything important that happens before this or after this?



Alternatives:



  * Trackable: can be tracked, or monitored, or analyzed.

  * Time-based, time-bound, time-boxed, time-limited: for a specified amount time.

  * Time-sensitive: has to be done by a particular time, or in a particular period.

  * Timeframe: a period of time, especially a specified period in which something happens.

  * Testable: able to be tested or tried.

  * Transparent: open, clear, and shared with the team and organization.



## Evaluate



Examine the work progress, the participants' performance, and changes over time, and adjust as needed.



Questions that may help:



  * What are lessons learned, both during the work and after it?

  * What changes are possible, or recommended, during the work and after it?

  * How do the participants update their SMART criteria during work in progress?



Alternatives:



  * Examine: look at something carefully in order to make judgments.

  * Edit: make changes to something in order to improve it.



## Reward



Recognize success, acknowledge achievements.



Questions that may help:



  * When milestones are reached, what kinds of rewards will be given?

  * Do participants have any ideas for rewards, or preferred rewards?

  * What are comparable rewards for similar work at other organizations?



Alternatives:



  * Reviewed: examined, or inspected, or approved.

  * Retrospective: able to be looked back on, such as for lessons learned, or continuous improvement, etc.