LEARN HOW YOU CAN IMPROVE YOUR GOAL SETTING PROCESS USING SMART GOALS

Dear Folks! In this article, let’s see all about SMART goals; Why, What, How, Advantages.

WHY DO YOU NEED SMART GOALS?

Behind every accomplishment, there is enough back work made by the team. The backbone of this achievement is effective goal setting. Setting a goal is making a clear path for your team’s travel towards the target. Remember! One thing, to travel towards your targeted destination, the first thing you should know about the “GAP”. The gap is findable only when you know where you are? And where do you have to go? Here comes SMART goals.

Say Hello! To Mr TOM and Mr Vincent, both are machining specialists (Engineers). They have an upcoming project to set up a “Turning centre” for their new factory. They have to set a goal for their project and share it with the machine supplier. Let’s see how Mr TOM and Mr Vincent both are constructing their goals using SMART goals.

ELABORATE SMART GOALS

SMART Means Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bounded. Mr TOM and Mr Vincent both are very careful about their goal-setting, using SMART goals. They are very clever that they know what they want

Specific

This section of the SMART goal insists that the goal must be specific, not a broad one. To make sure that your target is clear for you and your team, the goal has to be specific.

Measurable

This section of SMART goal insists that the goal must be measurable, you can track your progress and make intermediate action plans in case of any gap. This is possible only when you have a measurable goal.

Achievable

This section of SMART goal insists that the goal must be achievable, it does not mean that you should not have a stretched target. The best way to explain here is, If Mr TOM and Mr Vincent want to have their machine by tomorrow, do you think that it is achievable? Fine! You got a point.

Relevant

This section of SMART goal insists that the goal must be relevant, before moving ahead, ask yourself one question that whether the goal is within your project scope? As I said Mr TOM and Mr Vincent both are clever engineers. They set a relevant goal, let’s see their work in the coming sections.

Time-bounded

This section of SMART goal insists that the goal must be time-bounded, everything has an END. Can you imagine a project you drive without a deadline? Of course! Not, isn’t it? The timely completion of a project is important in any project management.

HOW TOM AND VINCENT MADE IT USING SMART GOALS- AN EXAMPLE

PRODUCE A590X56 AND A690X57 PARTS IN THE NEW TURNING CENTRE THAT MEETS THE SPECIFICATIONS OUTLINED ON THE DRAWING D250X125_R1, AT THE PRODUCTION SPEED OF 65 SECONDS OF MACHINE TIME PER PART. THE MACHINE HAS TO BE READY FOR PRODUCTION BY Q1 2022 WK05, AT ABC COMPANY’S CALIFORNIA PLANT.

EXTRACT USING SMART

Well! See below, how Mr TOM and Mr Vicent made it.

Specific:

Products: Two Parts namely A590X56 & A690X57 (It is clear that there are two parts to produce)

Specifications: As per drawing D250X125_R1 (Well done! they have included the drawing revision)

Machine cycle time: 65 seconds per part

Readiness: By Q1 2022 Wk05

Where: ABC Company, California

Measurable:

Two parts, 65sec of machine time per part

Achievable:

Specifications are mentioned, drawing D250X125_R1

Relevant:

65seconds of machine time per part. Here, a component’s cycle time always consists of four portions (Manual loading + Machine process + Manual unload + Frequential time). As this is to be shared with the turning centre supplier, Mr TOM and Mr Vincent are made it relevant to them, they have excluded other timings which are in the control and scope of the supplier.

(Note: In some cases, the manual loading, unloading may affect by machine configurations, be relevant accordingly)

Time-bounded:

By Q1 2022 Wk05

ADVANTAGES OF USING SMART GOALS

1. Clear communication about your goal, to all stakeholders.
2. Helps to track the progress, thereby you can make action plans to fill any gap.
3. It helps to optimize the time; you are clear about what to do
4. It helps to stay focused; as you have enough figures to work on
5. It makes team responsible; as it is specific, you can question people about progress

GOT IT! SET YOUR GOAL TODAY USING SMART GOALS

Remember! Always teamwork wins. Call people and construct your goals using the SMART goals setting process, and share it with all project stakeholders. This SMART goal will guide clearly whether or not the team is on the right track.

Periodically measure the progress and make action plans, and make sure you hit the target within the time frame of the project. Not, all projects hit the results on time (or) delivers all objectives. The important thing to consider is “Learn from the mistakes“. Make it right next time you do, and ensure that the mistake is not reoccurred”.

Good luck!

Author: MOHAMMEDRIYAZDHEEN A (Director – Projects and Business Operations)

STANCE Projects India Pvt Ltd

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