Setting Goals and Developing Specific, 

Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and 

Time-bound Objectives

Introduction

Goals are the specific result or purpose expected from the project. The project goals specify what 

will be accomplished over the entire project period and should directly relate to the problem 

statement and vison. The goal is achieved through the project objectives and activities. 

Objectives are the specific steps that lead to the successful completion of the project 

goals. Completion of objectives result in specific, measurable outcomes that directly contribute to 

the achievement of the project goals. 

Setting specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) objectives is a good 

way to plan the steps to meet the long-term goals in your grant. It helps you take your grant from 

ideas to action. Setting SMART objectives keeps the project moving forward, helps with 

accountability and timing, and lets you know that you are accomplishing what you set out to 

accomplish.

Definition of SMART Objectives

SMART stands for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. 

• Specific – Objective clearly states, so anyone reading it can understand, what will be done

and who will do it.

• Measurable – Objective includes how the action will be measured. Measuring your 

objectives helps you determine if you are making progress. It keeps you on track and on 

schedule.

• Achievable – Objective is realistic given the realities faced in the community. Setting 

reasonable objectives helps set the project up for success

• Relevant – A relevant objective makes sense, that is, it fits the purpose of the grant, it fits the 

culture and structure of the community, and it addresses the vision of the project. 

• Time-bound – Every objective has a specific timeline for completion.
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Tips for writing SMART Objectives

Specific • Define what you expect

• Determine who will do it

• Detail accountability

• Use action verbs, expressing physical or mental action, as much as possible

• Provide enough detail - this depends on the objective but should be enough 

to be clear

Measurable • Identify how you will know objective was accomplished – usually this 

means quantity but can also be quality (for instance, “80% of participants 

agree or strongly agree on the feedback form”)

Attainable • Make sure you have the time, manpower, resources, and authority to 

accomplish the objective

• Consider if there may be factors beyond your control 

Relevant • The objective helps you meet the purpose of the grant

• The objective is aligned with the Community Readiness Assessment scores

Time

bound

• Specify when the objective should be completed

• Include time-lined benchmarks for long-range goals and all objectives

Examples of SMART Objectives

Sample objective 1: Collaborate with 11 Tribal entities.

The bulleted list below shows how this objective is and is not a SMART objective.

• Is it Specific? It is clear but it could be more specific in terms of who will do it and what 

“collaboration” means. 

• Is it Measurable? Yes, but how it will be measured needs to be stated. 

• Is it Attainable? Yes, if you have the time and resources needed.

• Is it Relevant? Yes, because collaborating with other agencies improves the chance that 

changes will be made and contributes to sustainability. 

• Is it Time bound? No – it does not specify a timeframe for completing the objective. Add 

language to specify completion time.

Sample SMART objective 1: Project director will obtain Memoranda of Understanding that spell out the 

terms of agency collaboration with 11 tribal entities involved with youth by August 31, 2017.

The objective outlines what will be done and who will do it. It is measurable, it specified some 

detail about the MOUs, and it is time-lined. Depending on how the Native Connections (NC) team 

is set up and how you report to the tribal government and/or advisory committee, more specific 

detail would make this objective even better. 
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Sample detailed SMART objective 1: The project director will obtain MOUs that spell out the terms of 

agency collaboration for 11 tribal entities working with youth. The MOUs will state how many times a year 

the entities will meet as well as other details how the entities will work together. The advisory committee will 

review all MOUs before signing; the director will submit all signed MOUs to the advisory committee and 

Tribal Council by August 31st.

Error! Reference source not found. below shows the sections of a SMART objective and provides 

the detail and rationale that makes it SMART.

Figure 1. SMART Objective # 1

•Who: Project Director

•What: MOUs

•Detail: Terms of collaboration

Specific

•How many? 11

•Documented by: MOUs

•Accountable to: Board & Tribe

Measurable

•Justification: There are 11 entities that work with youth. We have good 

relationships with most. We have staff and resources to help them meet the 

objective.

Attainable

•Rationale: Grant calls for "integrated services." MOUs help define the terms of 

working together.

Relevant

•When: 11 MOUs submitted by August 31, 2017

Time-Based
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Sample Objective 2: Continue to educate our community that suicide is a public health problem.

Sample detailed SMART Objective 2: “The project team will hold two 5K walk/runs with at least four 

entities by July 1, 2017 and speak once a month at 9 community meetings from January-September 2017, to 

educate our community that suicide is a preventable public health problem,”

Error! Reference source not found. shows the SMART details of objective #2.

Figure 2. SMART Objectives #2

Set your project up for success

1. Get input from your advisory board, your SAMHSA government project officer, and your 

NC coordinator when writing your goals and objectives. 

2. Copy or build on things that have worked before in your community.

3. Have a good idea of the time the designated person has to devote to each objective so they 

have the time they need to fulfill the objective. If necessary, figure out how to enlist help 

from others. 

4. Get buy-in from staff and collaborating agencies before you set the goals and objectives.

•Who: Project Team

•What: Walk/runs & presentations

Specific

•How many? 2 wakl/runs; 9 presentations

•Documented by: Sign-in sheets & agendas

•Accountable to: Board 

Measurable

•Justification: We have time to paln and staff to implement.

Attainable

•Rationale: This type of awareness raising is consisten with our CRA score

Relevant

•When: 2 events & 9 presentations by September 2017

Time-Based