Specific

A goal should be clear and precise, leaving no room for ambiguity. For instance, rather than setting a vague goal like “improve research skills,” a specific goal would be “attend a workshop on advanced statistical methods.” The latter provides a clear direction and identifies exactly what action will be taken.

Measurable

To track progress, your goal should include criteria for measurement. Instead of stating “increase lab productivity,” aim for “publish three research papers in peer-reviewed journals within the next year.” This allows you to monitor your progress with concrete metrics and adjust your approach if necessary.

Achievable

Your goal should be realistic and attainable, considering your current resources and constraints. Setting a goal like “secure a $500,000 grant in the next month” might be ambitious if you haven’t written grant proposals before. A more achievable goal could be “submit a grant proposal to two funding agencies by the end of the quarter,” which is challenging yet feasible.

Relevant

Ensure your goal aligns with broader objectives and is meaningful in your context. For instance, if your long-term career goal is to become a lead researcher, a relevant short-term goal might be “develop a new research proposal in my area of expertise.” This keeps your efforts aligned with your overarching aspirations.

Time-bound

A goal should have a clear deadline to foster a sense of urgency and prompt action. Instead of saying “improve presentation skills,” set a time-bound goal like “complete a public speaking course by the end of the semester.” This deadline helps keep you focused and accountable.

Applying the SMART framework

By applying the SMART framework, you create goals that are clear, measurable, and achievable, which significantly enhances your ability to stay on track and succeed. For example, a goal like “write a research paper” is not SMART because it lacks specificity and a deadline. In contrast, “draft the introduction of my research paper by next Friday” meets all the SMART criteria and provides a clear path to follow.

StudyLuna and SMART

Incorporating SMART formulation into your goal-setting process can lead to more structured and achievable outcomes and will make communication about your goals easier. StudyLuna has a very short e-learning on SMART formulation that can be used as a mnemonic on what is SMART and what is not.