Not Just S.M.A.R.T. But S.M.A.R.T.E.R!
- Danny House
- Nov 10
- 2 min read
Introduction
Whether you’re a student managing multiple courses, an academic shaping assignments, or
a professional in a regulated industry managing audits and CAPAs — goal‑setting makes all
the difference. The classic S.M.A.R.T. framework (Specific, Measurable,
Achievable/Assignable, Relevant/Realistic, Time‑bound) has served us well. The acronym
was first introduced by George T. Doran in 1981 in a corporate context (Doran, 1981).
Reflection for Our Audiences
- For Students: How can you craft individual goals that align with your workload of classes,
work and possibly family commitments — and maximize value both for you and those
around you?
- For Academics: Are you using S.M.A.R.T. or S.M.A.R.T.E.R. techniques to set clear student
expectations, improve assignment outcomes, and link them to broader learning objectives?
- For Professionals/Practitioners: In your projects or corrective actions (e.g., under ISO
13485, IATF 16949, or 21 CFR 820) are you truly evaluating the E (Evaluate) and R
(Review) stages, or are they simply assumed, undocumented, or incomplete?
S.M.A.R.T. Goals – A Refresher
I’ve seen the S.M.A.R.T. format used widely: annual personnel reviews, Lean/Six Sigma
projects, day‑to‑day to‑do items. The original five elements were oriented toward
corporate and departmental goals (Management by Objectives).
Commonly, these stand for:
• Specific – the targeted area of improvement
• Measurable – quantification of progress
• Assignable/Achievable – who is responsible and feasibility
• Relevant/Realistic – aligned and feasible
• Time-related – a deadline or timeframe
The E and R That Make Goals Smarter
E = Evaluate for Effectiveness: A goal or corrective action is not truly closed until it has been
evaluated for effectiveness (Napier-Sewell, 2019).
R = Reviewed: Preferably cross-functional, this step ensures the benefits outweigh
unintended consequences (Napier-Sewell, 2019).
S.M.A.R.T.E.R. Framework Summary
S – Specific: Objective clearly defined
M – Measurable: You can measure progress or attainment
A – Achievable: Realistic given resources and constraints
R – Relevant: Aligns with strategic and stakeholder needs
T – Time-bound: Has a deadline and urgency
E – Effective: Evaluated for actual outcome with supporting data
R – Reviewed: Cross-functional validation and risk review
Conclusion
Incorporating Effectiveness and Review into goal setting elevates the process from simple
task-completion to systemic improvement. Whether you're a student, educator, or
professional in a regulated environment, adopting S.M.A.R.T.E.R. goals gives you structure
and sustainability.
Bibliography
CSSBB Primer. (2014). West Terre Haute, Indiana: Quality Council of Indiana.
Doran, G. (1981). There’s a S.M.A.R.T. Way to Write Management Goals and Objectives.
Management Review, 35-36.
Drucker, P. (1954). The Practice of Management. New York City: Harper & Row.
Meyer, P. J. (2003). Attitude is Everything. Meyer Resource Group.
Napier-Sewell, S. (2019, November 15). What Is SMARTER & What Does It Have To Do With
My Investigation? Retrieved from TapRoot Root Cause Analysis:
investigation/
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