BRS

SMARTA Objectives

SMARTA Objectives
Background
The SMARTA tool can assist in providing a framework to pursue your goal/purpose. The tool
identifies what you want to achieve.

SMARTA
S

Specific clearly defined and focused (if needed, choose part of the challenge and
focus on that)

Measurable outcomes are measurable (think; quantity, percentage, volume etc)

Achievable realistic (i.e. dont choose big, vague or highly contentious goals)

Relevant will foster and/or capitalise on above the line thinking and behaviours

Timed has an end date, or a major milestone

Agreed is agreed by all team members, managers and direct reports

Example of a SMARTA Objective

Measurable

Timed

Reduce re-work by 50% within 100

days without adding any additional
costs to the business.
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Its specific it says what will be done (reduce re-work) as well as what wont happen as a
result (any additional costs to the business)
Its achievable 50% rather than 100%
Its relevant to the businesss strategic aims
Is it agreed? If yes, its a SMARTA objective!

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SMARTA Objectives

Other Examples of SMARTA Objectives

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Define, implement and secure 100% commitment for new accountability guidelines for all
project managers within 90 days.
Reduce proposal preparation time and costs by 20% by streamlining the proposal
preparation process.
Secure $100,000 in savings from efficiencies in IT and communications within 100 days.
Achieve a ten per cent increase in employee engagement scores on the next survey by
enhancing the performance management discussions.

Common Mistakes when Formulating Objectives

Criteria

Avoid

Try instead

Improve performance
to managers
satisfaction/to a high
standard

Raise outputs to

Specific
Create/update people and
culture policies and
procedures

Increase customer
satisfaction
Measurable

Increase innovation

Reduce risk

Create the following

procedures:
> Working from home
> Volunteering leave
Update five existing policies:
> (list policies for updating)
by October
Customer feedback survey
average score greater than 4
Register four suggestions in
innovation register each
quarter
Complete a risk register for all
projects and a risk assessment
for all projects over $10,000

Words like every, always,

never and 100% are red
flags carefully assess any
objectives with these kinds of
words

Use real numbers and realistic

percentages

All problems raised in team

meetings will be resolved
within a week

All problems raised in team

meetings will be analysed
using the problem solving
circle within a week Where
the outcome is very uncertain,
focus on process goals

Achievable

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SMARTA Objectives

Criteria

Relevant

Timed

Avoid

Try instead

All staff satisfaction ratings

will reach 4 out of 5

Staff satisfaction ratings will

increase, on average, by 0.25
out of 5 by the half year staff
survey

Objectives that are not linked

to the organisations strategic
plan and/or the individuals job
description
Create the following
procedures:
> Working from home
> Volunteering leave
Update five existing policies:
> (list policies for updating)
Staff satisfaction ratings will
increase, on average, by 0.25
out of 5
All problems raised in team
meetings will be analysed
using the problem solving
circle
Creating objectives for other
people

Agreed
Agreeing to objectives you
think are irrelevant or
unrealistic

Create the following

procedures:
> Working from home
> Volunteering leave
Update five existing policies:
> (list policies for updating)
by October
Staff satisfaction ratings will
increase, on average, by 0.25
out of 5 by the half year staff
survey
All problems raised in team
meetings will be analysed
using the problem solving
circle within a week
Set aside time to provide
support in reviewing their
proposed objectives
For team goals, workshop
objectives together
Tell people what you think and
feel speak the kind truth

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