Q&A - What are SMART objectives?

Many business textbooks suggest that both corporate and functional objectives need to conform to a set of criteria referred to as an acronym SMART.

The SMART criteria are summarised below:

Specific
The objective should state exactly what is to be achieved.

Measurable
An objective should be capable of measurement – so that it is possible to determine whether (or how far) it has been achieved

Achievable
The objective should be realistic given the circumstances in which it is set and the resources available to the business.

Relevant
Objectives should be relevant to the people responsible for achieving them

Time Bound
Objectives should be set with a time-frame in mind. These deadlines also need to be realistic

Revision Presentation - Mission, Aims, Objectives and Stakeholders [7 Apr 2012]
Who has what it takes for this job description? [23 Jan 2012]
Revision Presentation - Operational Objectives [3 Jan 2012]
Revision Presentation - Corporate and Functional Objectives [29 Dec 2011]
Lesson Worksheet - Stakeholders in a Business [6 Oct 2011]
Revision Presentation - Objectives of New Businesses [6 Sep 2011]
Skype CEO on Aims, Growth, Risks and Motivation [4 Sep 2011]
Q&A - Outline the role of functional objectives [28 Dec 2010]
Q&A - What power do stakeholders have over what a business does? [28 Dec 2010]
Aims & Objectives: Twitter and Facebook both aim to reach 1 billion users [12 Oct 2010]
Lesson Worksheet - Aims & Objectives of Business [29 Sep 2010]
Marketing Objectives in Action [1 Jul 2009]
Q&A - What are business objectives? [1 Jul 2009]

BUSINESS TEACHER RESOURCE NEWSLETTER
Get first news of business teaching resources, ideas and other materials from tutor2u. Over 9,400 business teachers from the UK and around the world receive our regular teacher email newsletters. Sign up for free here!