Setting ASMART Performance Objectives

ASMART
Attribute
Characteristics Key questions to ask yourself

Aligned

Goals tied to business
unit and organisational
objectives


Is the goal linked to other, higher-level goals, e.g.
my business objectives?
Is the goal consistent with your organisational and
personal values?
Is the goal linked to your organisational and
personal vision?
Can you clearly communicate how the goal links to
other individuals, teams and organisations?
Can you identify and communicate how others may
benefit from completion of the goal?


Specific

Completely clear as to
what will be
accomplished


Does the goal include enough detail for decisive
action to be taken?
Is it easy for others to translate the goal into
outcomes?
Is the goal stated with a simplicity and clarity that
ensures clear and broad understanding?
Is the goal easy for others to align with?


Measurable

Easy to evaluate
objectively against pre-
determined criteria:
Quality
Quantity
Time
Cost


When you achieve the goal, will there be tangible
evidence of its completion?
Will the evidence of goal achievement allow for
evaluation of its quality?
Can you communicate and record results versus
expectations?
Could others easily quantify the results of
completing the goal?

Using ASMART to set quality performance objectives:

To ensure we all understand and play our role in delivering
business strategy, our individual performance objectives should
be ASMART and aligned to our business objectives.

The ASMART approach helps us create powerful goals that drive
alignment and engagement, and enables us to track our
progress against our performance and development.

ASMART stands for:
Aligned
Specific
Measurable
Action-Oriented
Realistic
Time-Bound






Action-
Oriented

Results oriented,
attainable, and
challenging
Specific next steps
articulated


Are you able to describe what needs to be done?
Is the goal stated in an energising manner?
Are there concrete steps that can be taken to
realise the goal?
Would others be energized by the goal?


Realistic

Focused on realistic,
achievable business
goals, local opportunities
and challenges


Given the time and resources available, are you
likely to reach the goal?
Is the goal sufficiently challenging?
Have you taken into account the likelihood that
unplanned events may arise?
Can you create a Plan B?


Time-Bound

Clear about the
timeframe for
accomplishment
Tracked over time
Progress against goals
monitored


Have you set a specific date for completion of the
goal?
Can you break the goal into key accomplishments
to gauge progress?
Do you understand the sequence of events required
for completion of the goal?