A SMART goal is a specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound goal.
- Specific: The goal should be clear and well defined, with specific details on what is to be achieved.
- Measurable: The goal should be quantifiable, so that progress can be tracked and success can be measured.
- Attainable: The goal should be realistic and achievable, given the resources and constraints.
- Relevant: The goal should be aligned with the overall business objectives and strategy.
- Time-bound: The goal should have a specific deadline for completion, which helps to create a sense of urgency and focus.
For example, a SMART goal for a marketing campaign might be: “Increase website traffic by 20% over the next 3 months through a targeted social media and email marketing campaign, as measured by Google Analytics.” This goal is specific (increase website traffic), measurable (20%), attainable (given a targeted campaign), relevant (to increasing website traffic) and time-bound (over the next 3 months).
Having SMART goals help to ensure that the goals set are clear, actionable, and achievable, which increases the chances of success.