Beyond Traditional SMART Goals
Once
upon a time, in a business management world that seemed more remote
with every passing day, SMART goals (Specific,
Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-based goals) were enough to
support business success. No more.
Just as the annual performance appraisal tied to the year's accomplishments
and the annual raise is a dinosaur, so are SMART goals as traditionally
defined in goal-setting exercises. Now, don't misunderstand me. I believe
in goal-setting.
Goal-setting is the foundation for personal and business success. It
is time, however, in the business environment existing today, to expand
the meaning of SMART goals. And, perhaps, one word per letter is no
longer enough to define a useful acronym.
Stretch your imagination with me as we re-look at the words that define
successful goals in goal-setting.
SMART Acronym Newly Defined for Goal-Setting
- I'll start with S. In addition to specific, stretching,
systematic, synergistic, significant and shifting round out the picture.
- M means measurable, but I also recommend meaningful,
memorable, motivating and even, magical.
- A is an achievable goal but A also needs to stand
for action plans, accountability, acumen and agreed-upon.
- R means relevant, but it also stands for realistic,
reasonable, resonating, results-oriented, rewarding, responsible,
reliable, rooted in facts and remarkable.
- T means time-based and also represents timely,
tangible and thoughtful goals.
Fast Change Requires Direction: Goal-Setting
So,
do you need to abandon SMART goals in the current work environment?
Not at all. But, you definitely need to expand their meaning if the
goal-defining acronym, SMART, is to serve you well in the current and
upcoming business climate.
Events in the workplace are moving faster and faster. To stay competitive,
you must shift direction, based on customer requirements, sometimes
daily. Your goals need the same flexibility. In a performance management
system, this is why goals are reviewed, at least quarterly. Hop on the
new SMART goals express, because as Alice said to the proverbial Cheshire
Cat, "'Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from
here?'
'That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,' said the Cat.
`I don't much care where--' said Alice.
`Then it doesn't matter which way you go,' said the Cat."
In today's competitive business climate, it DOES matter which way you
go. The redefined SMART goals WILL help you get there.
Source: http://www.humanresources.about.com/cs/performancemanage/a/goalsetting.htm
