ACTIVITY: SKILLS PRACTICE

HOW TO WRITE A SMART OBJECTIVE

Introduction:
Your task today will be a skills practice, where you will have to opportunity to spend some time
practicing the technique of writing SMART objectives, and have them reviewed by your
Trainer to make sure youre on the right track.

In this skills practice session you will:

review the components of a SMART objective,

review objectives provided to you to assess whether they are SMART, and

practice writing SMART objectives

demonstrate the difference between goals and objectives

Instructions:

1. Read the handout provided titled: Writing Objectives

2. Read the section titled: SMART Objectives - Examples
3. Check your Progress: complete tasks 1 to 3 on the worksheet provided
Writing objectives
Writing meaningful and useful objectives can be quite challenging, however lots of practice,
and using the SMART technique will assist you.

What is a SMART objective?

A SMART objective is an objective that clearly states what will be done in a manner that allows
the reader to understand exactly what is to be achieved and by when.

S - Specific
M - Measurable
A - Achievable
R - Realistic
T - Timely

Why use SMART objectives?

By utilising the SMART technique, your objective will:
Provide clarity (unambiguous)
Help to establish and meet expectations
Ensure the objective can actually be accomplished

Some examples of objectives:

Vague: To improve customer service.
SMART: Reduce the average time for resolving customer service issues
from 17 minutes to less than 10 minutes by 30 June 2013.

Goals v Objectives - Whats the difference?

Objectives are statements that explain how goals will be achieved, ie: if the objective is to
Reduce the average time for resolving customer service issues from 17 minutes to less
than 10 minutes by 30 June 2013, the goal is likely to be:
To improve customer service
Or
To provide the highest level of customer service in our market sector.
 Activity: How to write a SMART objective.

TASK 1:
Read the following objective: I want to get fitter.

1a. Re-write the above objective using the SMART technique

I want to have bigger biceps, increasing from 18cm to 20cm by the end of the month

1b. Is your objective SMART? Write the appropriate details in the space below.

S M A R T
Measurable- Achievable- the Realistic-
you can target it not too
Can be Timely- has a
measure arm large and can
realistically designated end
Specifc, aims from 18 to be done.
completed date, being the
to increase 20cm
end of the
bicep size
month

TASK 2
Read the following objective: Improve the product knowledge of staff.

2a Re-write the above objective using the SMART technique

To increase the amount of products areas staff know lots about from one area of expertise to
three by the 27th of September.

2b Is your objective SMART? Write the appropriate details in the space below.

S M A R T
Specific- Measurable- Achievable- Realistic- staff will Timely- has a
amount of from one to not too many have enough time goal of 27th
to increase
areas of four areas knowledge september
expertise

TASK 3: Goals v Objectives

In the space below, write what goals you want your objective to achieve:

3.1 - Task 1 objective will achieve the following goal:

The goal that increasing the size of your biceps may achieve could potentially create is that
you would be able to lift heavier weights.

3.2 - Task 2 objective will achieve the following goal:

The objective will come with the goals of increasing customer satisfaction as they will feel
secure in purchases, due to the staffs higher level of product knowledge
SMART OBJECTIVES: Some examples
This page features examples of SMART work objectives and a breakdown of why they are
SMART. Source: http://www.hr.ecu.edu.au/mps/html/mps-smart-eg.cfm

Example One - Scholarships

Objective:

Increase the number of scholarships available to Business & Law students by

introducing 3 new scholarships for students to apply in 2013. Each scholarship
awarded will be a minimum $3,000 per scholarship.

Breakdown of Objective

Specific - says what the staff member will do (increase the number of scholarships offered to
Business & Law students)

Measurable - states how many scholarships to be introduced (3) and how much is to be
awarded ($3,000 per scholarship)

Achievable - staff member has the necessary contacts and resources from previous years,
other faculties and relevant policies to refer to

Relevant - links with the faculty's goal to increase student attraction and retention numbers

Timely - indicates that new scholarships must be ready for students to apply by 2013.

Example Two - Events/ Project Co-ordinator

Objective:

To achieve attendance of at least 150 guests at the national Education conference on

31 March 2015 by sending a promotional email to all relevant Education Professionals
within Australia by 30 November 2014.

Breakdown of Objective

Specific - says what the staff member will do (achieve attendance and send promotional
email to all Education Professionals)

Measurable - states the minimum attendance rate (at least 150 guests)

Achievable - staff member has a listing of all guests to send invitation and conference is held
at a time convenient that does not conflict with other conferences
 Relevant - links into other forums about the Education sector to be conducted later in 2013

Timely - event to be held on 31 March 2015 & all promotional materials to be distributed by
30 November 2014.

Example Three - Administrative Officer

Organise and provide administrative support to [name of] committees, including the
development and distribution of agendas and minutes at least 2 weeks before and
after the meeting.

Breakdown of Objective

Specific - says what the staff member will do (organise and provide admin support)

Measurable - states to whom the admin support is to be provided for (committees X, Y, Z)

Achievable - staff member has a listing of all the relevant committees and its members,
dates, venue, catering resources

Relevant - supports the executive management team in ensuring meetings are conducted
throughout a given period

Timely - agendas and minutes to be distributed to committee members at least 2 weeks

before and after the meeting.

Example Four - Learning and Teaching

Demonstrate through student subject evaluation data a UTEI score of at least

[minimum accepted % score] for all teaching subjects in Semester 1, 2012.

Breakdown of Objective

Specific - says what the staff member will do (achieve a UTEI score above the minimum %
for all teaching subjects)

Measurable - states the use of UTEI scores as a benchmark (min. accepted % score)

Achievable - staff member has the necessary resources and support to teach

Relevant - links in with faculty's goal to improve overall teaching standards across the faculty

Timely - to be achieved by end of Semester 1, 2012

 Other examples

Provide accurate and timely information about [specify services] to [number] of customers in
accordance with approved ECU policy and procedures within [time].

Provide information technology support for approved applications in accordance with Information
Delivery Systems (IDS) procedures for the period [date].

Reduce the average time for resolving customer service issues from [X] minutes to [X] minutes by
the end of the calendar year.

Review and deliver an office procedures manual, updating it with relevant and accurate
procedural information by [date].