S.M.A.R.T. Objectives

The most important thing about setting the objectives of a development project is that they have to be SMART:

• Specific
• Measurable
• Achievable
• Realistic
• Time-bound

The more abstract the objectives are, the more difficult it is to measure performance. Project managers need to discuss the objectives with the project team, the target group, and project partners. Objectives must be understandable and acceptable to those who will help to achieve them.

S- Specific Goals have to be specific. ?The scope of the project should be so well defined that it should not give room for doubt or misunderstanding. ?For example, if a wall has to be constructed, the scope of the project should be the building of a wall, while its goal should be the completed version of the project. ? Being specific would mean that more details to the project scope are also mentioned in the guidelines, for example, whether the wall is to be made of brick or wood panels with its approximate measurements. It?highlights?the WHY,?WHAT, and?HOW?aspects of goal setting. ?

M - Measurable Goals should be measurable. ?The project manager should be able to qualitatively and quantitatively make a report of the project based on mathematical estimations. ?As in the above example, if a brick wall is to be made, the project manager should be able to guide his team on the required number of bricks/wood panels, the height of the wall, the number of workers required, etc.? ?It follows the principle of?"If you can't measure it, you can't manage it."

A - Achievable Projects have to be achievable. ? A project goal has to be within the practical applications of project implementation. ? The project vision should result in a concrete goal and not one that is beyond the means of the project manager and the project team. ?For this, the project plan will have to outline and provide resources to make the end goal achievable. ?It should also be stretched within limits to bring out the dedication and commitment of the project team in order to be a motivating factor for the next project.?

R - Realistic Projects cannot be abstract, obscure, or fantastic. ?It has to be real, with a realistic end goal. ?It has to be?do-able. ?It deals with what can be done in the project to achieve the end goal. ?There should be a high bar/level for achieving results without breaking the team.

T - Time-bound Projects are different from operations. ? They are time-bound and require specific time frames for every stage of the project. ? Since a project is specific and brought about as a result of 'need' and 'requisite' at a specific time, so should it be timely and prompt. ?Outlining specific time schedules makes a project unique, attainable, and successful.

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