Set Goal Using SMART Criteria

Set Goals Using SMART Criteria

In the retrospective of project, the team will work together to break down problems found during the project which help identify why challenges were faced or opportunities for improvement for the next project. As the team breaks down the project, they will have action items. Once those are defined, there will be goals in place from the team to improve. In most cases you will see a team use the SMART criteria as a checklist.

The SMART criteria is good way for the team to form action items in the retrospective so they can define goals. Each team member will create action item, but it must meet the SMART criteria. The SMART criteria consist of specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-boxed. They will ask:

-         Is the item specific?

-         Is the item measurable?

-         Is it achievable?

-         Is it relevant to the project?

-         Can it be time-boxed to a sprint?

If these questions can be answered, the it passes the SMART criteria and can lead to results.

The team must also make sure that the action items are specific to detail. Asking broad questions may make it hard for the team to answer the questions, but if it is more specific, then the team will have a better time attacking the questions and finding solutions. The next question is the item measurable or when do you know when the goal has been reached. Most of the time a small tweak in how a project team works can lead to a huge change. If you see improvement, you will know you are reaching that goal. Also, make sure that the action item is achievable. Based off the size of the problem the tweaks and fixes may vary. The easiest way to fix a big problem is to break it down into pieces and fix them piece by piece. This will make solving the problem much easier and effective.

Next, team will need to make sure that the action item is relevant to the project. Sometime, teams may try to address items which add no value to the overall project. If you find that action item has no benefit to the project, you may want to consider not including it because it may add unnecessary time to the project. Lastly, you want to make sure that each action item is sandboxed. Having each item sandboxed means that you can make sure that each action item can be completed within the upcoming sprint. Having action items are not too long will cause them roll over into the next retrospective, which means that they are not effective goals and could lead to wasted time.

Works Cited

Rose, Doug. “Set Goals Using SMART Criteria.” Lynda.com - from LinkedIn, LinkedIn, 4 Feb. 2016, www.lynda.com/Business-Skills-tutorials/Set-goals-using-SMART-criteria/175961/468248-4.html.