The SMART Framework

I was introduced the other day to the SMART framework , which I am applying in my current work. SMART stands for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and timely. I'm using the framework to assist in the development of key performance indicators that pass the clean child indicator test .

The SMART framework seems to have immediate appeal to senior management - they like the mnemonic and they like the structured thinking it forces upon them. Sometimes the simplest things matter!

Regards, Graham



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Re: The SMART Framework

Submitted by Stephen Bounds on Sun, 09/11/2008 - 12:53.

Hi Graham,

In theory the SMART acronym is very helpful, but in practice I think it suffers from the problem of most acrostics -- people are so enamoured of the acronym that they don't worry too much about the actual words as long as they all sound positive and pro-active.

For example, you could argue that in the definitions given for your linked article, "specific" covers both "measurable" and "timely" (and "tangible"). "Achievable" and "realistic" are also both very similar. Since there doesn't seem to be a great deal of agreement on what the words have to be (eg. see the Wikipedia article), you may want to revise the terms to overlap less.

For example, if I were to use SMART, I think I would use "Agreed Upon" rather than Achievable.

I would also focus Specific just on the "what", "where" and "why" -- since "who" and "which" relate to how realistic the project is, and "when" the timeliness of it.

Re: The SMART Framework

Submitted by Graham Durant-Law on Sun, 09/11/2008 - 16:19.

Thanks for your comment Stephen - inciteful as always.  My problem was I could get no one to agree on anything, so the SMART Framework provided a useful way to move ahead. 

I agree the words have overlapping meaning, or even confused meaning, but for almost every word in the English language I can find a synoynm!  The important thing to do is to precisely define what is meant by the word.  In our case achieveable is the right word because we are writing service level agreements, where each clause must not only be agreed it must be achieveable.

Regards Graham

Re: The SMART Framework

Submitted by Stephen Bounds on Wed, 12/11/2008 - 14:12.

Sound good to me Graham.

I look forward to seeing your results.

Re: The SMART Framework

Submitted by KerrieAnne on Sun, 09/11/2008 - 21:37.

Graham

the SMART concept has been used in the steel industry for years - I certainly was trained in the concept at least 5 years ago - so go with it .. it helps to reduce ambiguity ... however like David Snowden and Steve Denning both say ... you also need stories

cheers KerrieAnne

 

Re: The SMART Framework

Submitted by Graham Durant-Law on Mon, 10/11/2008 - 02:10.

Kerri-Anne, thanks for your comment, and reading my blog. I am using the framework as a tool to get to shared understanding and common meaning - inevitably this involves narrative, as distinct from stories.

I believe the SMART Framework was developed as a project management tool, but have been unable to reliably trace its origins or find something definitive about it. Do you know who developed it and for what purpose?

Regards Graham

Re: The SMART Framework

Submitted by KerrieAnne on Wed, 19/11/2008 - 21:46.

Graham

from what I can see it seems to have originated in the MBO management theory approach ie Management by Objectives - with possibly strong influences by Peter Drucker - which could explain the popularity of SMART in manufacturing

regards

KerrieAnne