SMART OBJECTIVES Healthy Kids Learn Better Institute

SMART OBJECTIVESSMART OBJECTIVES

Healthy Kids Learn BetterHealthy Kids Learn Better

InstituteInstitute

Writing SMART objectivesWriting SMART objectives

– An objective is derived from a goal, has the An objective is derived from a goal, has the same intention as a goal, but it is more same intention as a goal, but it is more specific, quantifiable and verifiable than the specific, quantifiable and verifiable than the goal.goal.

Writing SMART objectivesWriting SMART objectives

SMART stands for: SMART stands for:

– SSpecific, pecific, – MMeasurable, easurable, – AAchievable/Agreeable,chievable/Agreeable,– RRealistic/Relevant,ealistic/Relevant,– TTimely.imely.

Writing SMART objectivesWriting SMART objectives

Don't try to use that order M-A/R-S-T is Don't try to use that order M-A/R-S-T is often the best way to write objectives.often the best way to write objectives.

Writing SMART objectivesWriting SMART objectives

Measurable is the most important Measurable is the most important consideration. consideration.

You will know that you've achieved your You will know that you've achieved your objective, because here is the evidence.objective, because here is the evidence.

MeasurableMeasurable

Does your object of interest measure up to Does your object of interest measure up to your standard of acceptability.your standard of acceptability.

– Answer the phone quicklyAnswer the phone quickly

vs.vs.– Phone calls will be answered in three ringsPhone calls will be answered in three rings

MeasurableMeasurable

Summary: Summary: Is there something measurable Is there something measurable to assess progress towards the objective? to assess progress towards the objective?    

MeasurableMeasurable

• By June 1, 2007 the HKLB Institute participants will have established a local school health advisory council that meets at least every other month during the school year.

AchievableAchievable

Some people feel that Agreed should Some people feel that Agreed should stand for the definition of A in SMART. stand for the definition of A in SMART. objectives should indeed be agreed upon objectives should indeed be agreed upon between involved participants rather than between involved participants rather than enforced.    enforced.   

AchievableAchievable

Achievable is linked to measurable. Usually, Achievable is linked to measurable. Usually, there's no point in starting a job you know you there's no point in starting a job you know you can't finish, or one where you can't tell if/when can't finish, or one where you can't tell if/when you've finished it.you've finished it.

– How can I decide if it's achievable?How can I decide if it's achievable?- you know it's measurable- you know it's measurable- others have done it successfully (before you, or somewhere - others have done it successfully (before you, or somewhere else)else)- it's theoretically possible (ie clearly not 'not achievable')- it's theoretically possible (ie clearly not 'not achievable')- you have the necessary resources, or at least a realistic - you have the necessary resources, or at least a realistic chance of getting themchance of getting them- you've assessed the limitations.- you've assessed the limitations.

AchievabilityAchievability

Summary:Summary: With a reasonable amount of With a reasonable amount of effort and application can the objective be effort and application can the objective be achieved?achieved?

Achievable/Agreeable?Achievable/Agreeable?

• By June 1, 2007 the HKLB Institute participants will have established a local school health advisory council that meets at least every other month during the school year.

Realistic/Relevant?Realistic/Relevant?

• By June 1, 2007 the HKLB Institute participants will have established a local school health advisory council that meets at least every other month during the school year.

RelevanceRelevance

This means two things; that the goal or target being set is This means two things; that the goal or target being set is something they can actually impact upon or change and something they can actually impact upon or change and secondly it is also important to the success of the project. secondly it is also important to the success of the project.

Example: Telling teachers that they 'have to increase the Example: Telling teachers that they 'have to increase the school tax levy before the next school year' is not actually school tax levy before the next school year' is not actually something they can do anything about - it's not relevant something they can do anything about - it's not relevant to them. However, asking them to reduce their to them. However, asking them to reduce their expenditure on classroom materials by $20 over the next expenditure on classroom materials by $20 over the next three months is entirely relevant to them. three months is entirely relevant to them.

As to whether it's relevant to what the school is trying to As to whether it's relevant to what the school is trying to achieve, the budget manager has to decide this by achieve, the budget manager has to decide this by considering the wider picture.   considering the wider picture.  

RealisticRealistic

Summary: Summary: Can the people with whom the Can the people with whom the objective is set make an impact on the objective is set make an impact on the situation? Do they have the necessary situation? Do they have the necessary knowledge, authority and skills?  knowledge, authority and skills?  

SpecificSpecific

You will know your objective is specific You will know your objective is specific enough if:enough if:

- an observable action is linked to a number, rate, - an observable action is linked to a number, rate, percentage or frequencypercentage or frequency- everyone who's involved knows that it includes - everyone who's involved knows that it includes them specificallythem specifically- everyone involved can understand it- everyone involved can understand it- your objective is free from jargon- your objective is free from jargon- you've defined all your terms- you've defined all your terms- you've used only appropriate language.- you've used only appropriate language.

SpecificSpecificWhoWho is going to do is going to do how how muchmuch of whatof what by whenby when??

• By June 1, 2007 the HKLB Institute participants will have established a local school health advisory council that meets at least every other month during the school year.

SpecificSpecificWhoWho is going to do is going to do how how muchmuch of whatof what by whenby when??

By September 2007, all health educators By September 2007, all health educators in our district will have participated in a in our district will have participated in a district-wide mapping and alignment district-wide mapping and alignment workshop.workshop.

By January 2008, all health educators in By January 2008, all health educators in our district will have completed an update our district will have completed an update to our k-12 health curriculum scope and to our k-12 health curriculum scope and sequence.sequence.

SpecificSpecificWhoWho is going to do is going to do how how muchmuch of whatof what by whenby when??

By By September 2007September 2007, , allall health educators health educators in our districtin our district will have participated inwill have participated in a a district-wide mapping and alignment district-wide mapping and alignment workshop.workshop.

By By January, 2008January, 2008 allall health educators in health educators in our districtour district will will have completedhave completed an an update update to our k-12 health curriculum scope and to our k-12 health curriculum scope and sequence.sequence.

SpecificitySpecificity

Summary:Summary: Is there a description of a Is there a description of a precise or specific behavior/outcome precise or specific behavior/outcome which is linked to a rate, number, which is linked to a rate, number, percentage or frequency?   percentage or frequency?  

Time basedTime based

In the objective somewhere there has to In the objective somewhere there has to be a date be a date

(Day/Month/Year) for when the task has to (Day/Month/Year) for when the task has to be started (if it's ongoing) and/or be started (if it's ongoing) and/or completed (if it's short term or project completed (if it's short term or project related). related).

Simply: No date = No good. Simply: No date = No good.

Time boundTime bound

• By June 1, 2007 the HKLB Institute participants will have established a local school health advisory council that meets at least every other month during the school year.

SkillsSkills IncentivesIncentives ResourcesResources Action PlanAction Plan

VisionVision IncentivesIncentives ResourcesResources Action PlanAction Plan

VisionVision SkillsSkills ResourcesResources Action PlanAction Plan

VisionVision SkillsSkills IncentivesIncentives Action PlanAction Plan

VisionVision SkillsSkills IncentivesIncentives ResourcesResources

== ConfusionConfusion

== AnxietyAnxiety

== Slow Slow ChangeChange

== False False StartsStarts

== FrustrationFrustration

VisionVision SkillsSkills ResourcesResources IncentivesIncentives Action PlanAction Plan == ChangeChange

What’s Needed for Change to Occur?

What Happens when Pieces are Missing?