Jen's Agile Cliff Notes - SMART Goals

What is a SMART Goal?  It can apply to any goal you set, not just Agile-related ones.  We write our PI Objectives in SMART goal format, but it can also be used to write better sprint goals.  A SMART Goal is scientifically proven to help teams set and achieve goals.  They excel at providing the framework to create a compelling PI Objective or Sprint Goal.  You can even use them for retrospective goals!  

Let’s dive in…

They give you direction. A well-planned goal helps you move forward in the direction you need or want to go. For example, if you want to become a sales manager someday, writing down that goal with specifics on what steps you will take to achieve it can help you begin working on your goal right away. 

They help you stay on track. A specific goal provides a clear plan for accomplishing a task or project. You can often look at your goal to help you stay motivated.  For example, if you need to write a training guide for new employees, you can examine the timeline required to reach that goal on a daily or weekly basis. This reminder can help you meet your deadline. 

They make large projects easier. You can break down your goals into smaller tasks to avoid becoming overwhelmed by a large project. For example, writing an entire training guide might seem daunting.  However, if you set a goal to write one section of the guide each day or week, you will see progress on the task and feel a sense of accomplishment.

They help with time management. When you have a deadline for a task, setting specific goals for each phase of the project will help you complete it on time and minimize distractions.

What Does The Acronym SMART Represent?

They are Specific.  They are clearly defined and detailed, stating the intended outcome as simply, concisely, and explicitly as possible.  (Hint: Try starting with an action verb.)

1. Who: Who is involved in this goal?

2. What: What do I want to accomplish?

3. Where: Where is this goal to be achieved?

4. When: When do I want to achieve this goal?

5. Why: Why do I want to achieve this goal?

They are Measurable.  Each SMART goal is easy to determine whether the goal was accomplished.  It should be clear what a team needs to do to achieve the goal/objective.  The measures may be descriptive, yes/no, quantitative, or provide a range.

1. How many/much?

2. How do I know if I have reached my goal?

3. What is my indicator of progress?

They are Attainable/Achievable.  Each SMART goal is something you can accomplish with hard work as opposed to something you can accomplish if “magic” happens.  For instance, achieving the goal should be within the team’s control and influence.  

1. Do I have the resources and capabilities to achieve the goal? If not, what am I missing?

2. Have others done it successfully before?

They are Relevant/Realistic.   Each SMART goal is aligned with your other goals and recognizes factors that cannot be controlled.  (Hint: Avoid making “happy path” assumptions).

1. Is the goal realistic and within reach?

2. Is the goal reachable, given the time and resources?

3. Are you able to commit to achieving the goal?

They are Time-based.  Each SMART goal is linked to a time frame.  A short-term goal should be achieved in 1-4 weeks.  A longer-term goal can be months or even years!  The time period for achievement must be within the PI, the iteration, and therefore all goals must be scoped appropriately.  They should also include HOW you will achieve the goal, how you will get from where you are to where you want to be

1. Does my goal have a deadline?

2. By when do you want to achieve your goal?

But how do I write a SMART goal?

Here’s an easy one…

I will limit myself to four cans (specific, measurable) of soda (attainable, relevant) in three weeks (time-based) by replacing my M/W/F with a glass of sparkling water (how you will do it).

OK, but let’s look at how I can apply this to a PI…

Enable new Digital Wallets so that customers with Apple Pay and Google Pay can buy goods with an improved checkout experience and increase sales by 5% by the end of the PI.

(Action, What, Who, User Value, Business Value, Time Bound)

https://medium.com/@jencracchiola/jens-agile-cliff-notes-smart-goals-adacfb3e235f?sk=3028be8fb4b79851f38983878c5c4859