SMART is a checklist for writing well-formed goals: Specific (clearly defined, not vague), Measurable (has a way to judge progress), Achievable (realistic given resources and time), Relevant (connects to what actually matters), and Time-bound (has a deadline).
What it means
SMART is a discipline applied when writing any goal, whether it sits inside an OKR's key result, a KPI target, or a standalone objective set for a performance cycle - the framework is about the quality of the goal's wording, not a competing system to OKRs or KPIs.
Where it fits in
Goals that fail the SMART test are the common cause of disputed appraisals - a vague or unmeasurable goal leaves the eventual rating open to disagreement, which SMART is meant to prevent at the point the goal is first written.
Key rules
- SMART = Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound.
- A quality checklist for writing goals, not a separate goal-setting system.
- Applies to OKRs, KPI targets and standalone goals alike.
- Vague, non-SMART goals are a common cause of disputed appraisals.
