Setting SMART development goals

In the initial phase of the development process, it is important that the client identifies clearly and specifically how far he/she wants to get. The goal should be something that is important to the client, aligned with their moral values. It also needs to be achievable, yet challenging so that the client will be willing to make an effort.

The acronym - SMART - helps determining the target. The smart objective is specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and timely.

The adequate goals are:

1. Specific, concrete and positively expressed
2. Measurable, the progress can be detected
3. Achievable yet challenging, effort stimulating
4. Relevant, it's easy to identify with them as they are in line with our values and long-term goals
5. Timely, they have a deadline

 

Moving away from the business perspective, we are using a general day example disclosing what the client needs to define when setting their goals. Just like a farmer, we need to plan when, how and how many seeds do we need to plant to get the desired amount of crop be produced by the millers.
After the harvest, how much flower can the millers produce in order to bake the right amount of bread for sales in a timely manner.

Using the symbol, the coach can explain to the coachee the conditions of an adequate goal, meanwhile providing support by asking the right questions that can serve as checkpoints in verifying the objective.

The SymboliCard serves as reminder for the client both in terms of the symbols and revealing the characteristics of SMART objectives. Your client can effectively use the back of the card to set its own objective linked to its personal topic of development.