Smart Goals

SMART goals are objectives built around five criteria: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. The framework is meant to make goal-setting more effective by giving each goal clear boundaries and a way to track progress.

• Specific: the goal states exactly what needs to be accomplished, rather than something vague.
• Measurable: progress can be tracked against a clear metric, which supports accountability.
• Achievable: the goal is realistic given available resources and constraints, which keeps people motivated.
• Relevant: the goal connects to broader objectives, so achieving it actually matters.
• Time-bound: the goal has a deadline, which creates a sense of urgency.