The document discusses the SMART formula for setting goals. It explains that goals should be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) in order to effectively achieve them. Vague goals like "improve customer satisfaction" are less effective than clear, measurable goals. An example goal of improving knowledge about pressure measurement is analyzed and rewritten as a SMART goal involving spending 4 hours over 2 weeks on an e-learning course to increase test scores by 50% and be better able to discuss the topic with clients. The document stresses that checking goals adhere to the SMART criteria helps with goal achievement.

1. Let us now have a
look at the SMART-
formula

2. Setting Goals – The SMART-Formula
 In project management you usually have the ultimate project goal as
well as intermediate goals (milestones)
 Respectively there are major goals and minor goals, as well as
intermediate goals in your professional career
 Often we do not reach our goals because they were not clearly defined,
we expect too much, or we do not define intermediate goals.

3. Setting Goals – The SMART-Formula
 Management sometimes sets very vague goals such as: „we
have to improve customer satisfaction, increase
profitability, and improve productivity and efficiency.“
 With the implementation of „SMART“, goals turn into clear
messages that can be measured, reviewed, and monitored
which we will see in the next example...

4. Setting Goals – The SMART-Formula
 Ultimate- and intermediate goals have to be S.M.A.R.T.:

5. Setting Goals – The SMART-Formula
 Ultimate- and intermediate goals have to be S.M.A.R.T.:
 Specific: Goals must be communicated in a clear way

6. Setting Goals – The SMART-Formula
 Ultimate- and intermediate goals have to be S.M.A.R.T.:
 Specific: Goals must be communicated in a clear way
 Measurable: You have to be able to decide if you have reached
your goal

7. Setting Goals – The SMART-Formula
 Ultimate- and intermediate goals have to be S.M.A.R.T.:
 Specific: Goals must be communicated in a clear way
 Measurable: You have to be able to decide if you have reached
your goal
 Attainable: It has to be possible to achieve your goal.

8. Setting Goals – The SMART-Formula
 Ultimate- and intermediate goals have to be S.M.A.R.T.:
 Specific: Goals must be communicated in a clear way
 Measurable: You have to be able to decide if you have reached
your goal
 Attainable: It has to be possible to achieve your goal.
 Relevant: You have to choose a goal that really matters to you

9. Setting Goals – The SMART-Formula
 Ultimate- and intermediate goals have to be S.M.A.R.T.:
 Specific: Goals must be communicated in a clear way
 Measurable: You have to be able to decide if you have reached
your goal
 Attainable: It has to be possible to achieve your goal.
 Relevant: You have to choose a goal that really matters to you
 Time Bound: Every goals must be set to a specific date

10. Setting Goals – The SMART-Formula - Example
 In case of the e-learning your goal might have been
formulated like this:
„I want to improve my knowledge about pressure
measurement.“

11. Setting Goals – The SMART-Formula - Example
 In case of the e-learning your goal might have been
formulated like this:
„I want to improve my knowledge about pressure
measurement.“
Do you think this example is SMART ?

12. Setting Goals – The SMART-Formula - Example
„I want to improve my knowledge about pressure
measurement.“
Is it specific?

13. Setting Goals – The SMART-Formula - Example
„I want to improve my knowledge about pressure
measurement.“
Is it specific?
No, it‘s not very specific:
What exactly do you want to know about pressure
management? What are you going to do in order to achieve
your goal?

14. Setting Goals – The SMART-Formula - Example
„I want to improve my knowledge about pressure
measurement.“
Is it measurable?

15. Setting Goals – The SMART-Formula - Example
„I want to improve my knowledge about pressure
measurement.“
Is it measurable?
No, it‘s not measurable:
You don‘t have defined criteria how much knowledge you
want to achieve. Therefore you don‘t know when you can
stop learning.

16. Setting Goals – The SMART-Formula - Example
„I want to improve my knowledge about pressure
measurement.“
Is it attainable?

17. Setting Goals – The SMART-Formula - Example
„I want to improve my knowledge about pressure
measurement.“
Is it attainable?
As it is not measurable, you cannot decide whether your goal
is attainable.

18. Setting Goals – The SMART-Formula - Example
„I want to improve my knowledge about pressure
measurement.“
Is it relevant?

19. Setting Goals – The SMART-Formula - Example
„I want to improve my knowledge about pressure
measurement.“
Is it relevant?
This goal may or may not be relevant for you – we don‘t
know. The phrase does not say anything about the reason
why you want to improve your knowledge.

20. Setting Goals – The SMART-Formula - Example
„I want to improve my knowledge about pressure
measurement.“
Is it time bound?
No. There is absolutely no deadline defined or any other
time frame in which you want to improve your knowledge.

21. Setting Goals – The SMART-Formula - Example
So, how can we set a SMART goal in this case? Let‘s try it this
way:
„I will spend at least 4 hours with the e-learning tool ‚Basics
of Pressure Measurement‘ within the next 2 weeks in order
to gain 50% more points in the knowledge test after the
study. This way I will be more successful when talking to
clients.“

22. Setting Goals – The SMART-Formula - Example
So, how can we set a SMART goal in this case? Let‘s try it this
way:
„I will spend at least 4 hours with the e-learning tool ‚Basics
of Pressure Measurement‘ within the next 2 weeks in order
to gain 50% more points in the knowledge test after the
study. This way I will be more successful when talking to
clients.“
Specific: Your actions are clearly defined. This way you know
exactly what to do.

23. Setting Goals – The SMART-Formula - Example
So, how can we set a SMART goal in this case? Let‘s try it this
way:
„I will spend at least 4 hours with the e-learning tool ‚Basics
of Pressure Measurement‘ within the next 2 weeks in order
to gain 50% more points in the knowledge test after the
study. This way I will be more successful when talking to
clients.“
Measurable: You have criteria to test the outcome. Therefore
you can decide afterwards whether you have achieved your
goal.

24. Setting Goals – The SMART-Formula - Example
So, how can we set a SMART goal in this case? Let‘s try it this
way:
„I will spend at least 4 hours with the e-learning tool ‚Basics
of Pressure Measurement‘ within the next 2 weeks in order
to gain 50% more points in the knowledge test after the
study. This way I will be more successful when talking to
clients.“
Attainable: It is possible for you to achieve your goal. This
will help you motivate yourself.

25. Setting Goals – The SMART-Formula - Example
So, how can we set a SMART goal in this case? Let‘s try it this
way:
„I will spend at least 4 hours with the e-learning tool ‚Basics
of Pressure Measurement‘ within the next 2 weeks in order
to gain 50% more points in the knowledge test after the
study. This way I will be more successful when talking to
clients.“
Relevant: You have a good reason to learn. This will make
learning more effective – you will remember things better!

26. Setting Goals – The SMART-Formula - Example
So, how can we set a SMART goal in this case? Let‘s try it this
way:
„I will spend at least 4 hours with the e-learning tool ‚Basics
of Pressure Measurement‘ within the next 2 weeks in order
to gain 50% more points in the knowledge test after the
study. This way I will be more successful when talking to
clients.“
Time bound: You already have an exact plan when to do the
learning. This will help you avoid procrastination – so you
really do what you planned to do.

27. Setting Goals – The SMART-Formula
Please take another look at
your goals and check if they
are SMART enough.
Change your goal setting in
order to make them SMART!
As a reminder:
 Specific
 Measurable
 Attainable
 Relevant
 Time Bound