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Use S.M.A.R.T. goals to launch management by objectives plan

Sounds like S.M.A.R.T. doesn't belong to IT. But our company just started a process to evolve and excel at what it does best. Funny thing is, the person who is helping us in applying S.M.A.R.T. doesn't come from an IT background. And yet, she made idle wheels start turning. S.M.A.R.T. is working for our IT company.

I believe on the concept Collins (2001) spoke about in his book "Good to Great". He said companies should focus on their core business - what they do best. There are many good approaches that IT could use from outside IT.

There is something that came from Manufacturing called Lean manufacturing which Agile took and created Lean Software Development. It is an excellent tool that I have used and really helps you succeed. I had been put on a project that was so far in the red the client was threatening to sue for breach of contract. I implemented Lean SD and in 6 months the project went live and the client came back to us to work on other divisions. The client now uses lean in their internal processes as well.

Personally, I don't think the process is what is important. All of these types of processes are tools and what ever combination of tools gets the job done is the right process or tool for that job/project. Just my opinion.

The other half of my life is as a tutor and tutor trainer in a Literacy/ESL program. I actually learned about SMART goals somewhere in the last 5 years when attending a workshop about goal setting and lesson planning. I have now seen it in HR circles and here in IT (the mortgage paying half of my life). It works, it works!!!! Now if I can only apply it to everything else in my life....

I must admit I am new to Smart. I'm Six Sigma and Balance Scrodcard but this sounded like them both to some degree. do you know these others and is Smart the same to a large degee?

I would add that with any objective it is important to E(valuate) it periodically to ensure it is still relevant and achievable, and to (R)eview the action taken and outcome achieved at the designated completion time.

Adding these extra steps to the SMART principle should help avoid having objectives that sit around without much progress being made, and can help keep priorities clear, whether that's at a personal or enterprise level (or anywhere in between). Timely reviews of actions and results are part of the learning process for identifying and reinforcing best practices, as well as understanding why some actions may be less effective and should be avoided in the future.

I read that there is great MBO software and I am looking for something affordable for my small company.- Kathleen

How can SMART be applied in day to day operation?

I think he missed 2 factores wich are (EC) E is for ethic, and (C) for challnging

Great post. I think that SMART objectives are a sure-fire way to get direct results from your plans. This can apply to business philosophy AND personal goals, as well.

thank u v. much for this great topic .... I think it very interesting and helpful in applying management..