SMART tasks form the foundation of our process discipline. If you are able to make forecasts and deliver on them at a small scale, it will pave the way toward more complex and ambitious business goals.
Regardless of the approach chosen, we always set what are known as SMART goals. A SMART goal is defined by five attributes:
- S — Specific: the goal is always clearly defined.
- M — Measurable: it is always clear how many resources will be required for completion.
- A — Achievable: the goal is realistic and attainable.
- R — Relevant: the goal yields a meaningful result upon completion.
- T — Time-bound: the goal always has a set timeframe (we consider time to be the most critical resource and treat it as a distinct factor—after all, time only moves forward).
When goals are structured this way, it is difficult to fail or produce poor-quality work. It is important to note, however, that both the person setting the goal and the person executing it must share the same understanding of these attributes.