Today’s dynamic business atmosphere enforces organizations to take up multiple projects at a time and continue working in a bustling environment. In order to attain success and achieve the objectives, it is crucial to set up processes and diligently follow them. But it is vital to undertake operations that are feasible and realistic in nature.
The organizational vision and mission is a long-term goal. There are many operations and functions which are involved in reaching the end objective. Aligning these tasks in proper order is a must. Here is where the SMART model comes into the picture. It regulates efficiency and productivity in the organization and helps address all the flaws that come with common goals.
Let’s discuss the SMART model in detail and understand how to use it for achieving organizational success. The term SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely.
Specific – The leaders must be precise, clear and descriptive while slating the task at hand. The desired outcome can be achieved only when the entire team diligently follows the plan of action specified at the initial stage. Being specific ensures that every team member is informed about the end goal and their responsibilities for execution. Specific goals have a significantly greater chance of being accomplished.
Measurable – It is crucial to have measurable goals that will help to track your progress. If one cannot measure the outcome, then it is tough to achieve the goals. Quantifiable goals will also help to understand the factors that indicate the status of your progress.
Achievable – It is essential to have feasible and attainable goals. Often, organizations fail as they set unrealistic goals; hence, being realistic and clearly defined tasks becomes of utmost importance. This will help to stretch your abilities and prioritize achieving them.
Realistic – Setting realistic goals will clarify the factor of what the goal means to you. It is about ensuring that your goal aligns with other relevant objectives. A thorough understanding of the task and the timelines is essential; otherwise, the organization would face failure to accomplish the targets.
Timely – The final anchor in making the objective reality is by setting a time for it. If you do not put a start time and an end time, chances are you never achieve the objective. Always keep in mind, timelines need to be set before executing the tasks and not at a later stage. It helps in doing the job seamlessly.
When it comes to growing strategically and developing an engaging company culture, smart goals play a vital role. The SMART method helps push the team further, provides a sense of direction, and enables the leader to organize and reach the goals. However, the most significant advantage that surfaced due to SMART goals is the structured & streamlined thinking. This is helpful for an organizational space, where individuals can explore their identity.
To conclude, goal setting is at the heart of a healthy organizational culture and setting SMART goals in business are the way to go.
-By Vrutika Dawda, Director, IdeateLabs