With the SMART method, it is possible to implement truly coherent project management. The SMART method is used in many fields: project management, marketing, human resources, and management. It was developed in 1954 by Peter F. Drucker, who explained what management by objectives was, without using the SMART acronym. It was only a few years later that the SMART acronym began to be used, notably by George T. Doran.

Originally, the goal was to identify project objectives, whether qualitative or quantitative, over a given period. SMART thus refers to criteria for defining project objectives. Nowadays, SMART objectives are still used in companies.

Indeed, it is an excellent mnemonic device for describing project objectives in the simplest and clearest way possible. Defining these objectives is essential for making effective and quick decisions.

5 SMART Indicators to Know

There are 5 SMART indicators: one for each letter of the acronym. Here are the 5 indicators to know for coherent project management:

• Specific: The objective must be both simple to understand and precise, especially for the person in charge of achieving it. The more complex and unclear an objective is, the harder it will be to achieve. However, the objective should not only be clear and precise but also personalized to the work of the person responsible for achieving it.

• Measurable: An objective must always be able to be qualified or quantified. Without this, it is impossible to evaluate it.

• Achievable: The objective to be reached must be ambitious. An ambitious objective represents a challenge and boosts team motivation. However, it must still be reasonable. An unattainable objective will have the opposite effect: loss of motivation and decreased confidence.

• Realistic: The objective must be realistic to motivate the team from the beginning to the end of the project.

• Time-bound: Take the time to set a deadline for the project. Vague notions should be avoided. It is better to give the team a goal to achieve “within a month” rather than “as soon as possible.”

There are other indicators, but these are the most important to know. SMART indicators make project objectives much more precise. The better these objectives are defined, the more easily they will be integrated by the project team. A comprehensible, clear, and time-bound objective will always be easier and quicker to achieve than a complex and unclear one.

If you feel that your project objectives are not very clear and your teams are not aligned with them, it may be worthwhile to start over. You can then begin by better defining the objectives using the SMART method. Objectives are the foundation of the project: once they are perfectly defined, project management will be facilitated…

This text is an excerpt from the book “Triline Planner: An Effective Method for Planning Your Life and Achieving Your Goals” written by ZOYA MELOUNA.