How do you adapt SMART objectives to changing circumstances or feedback?

1 What are SMART objectives?

SMART objectives are statements that describe what you want to accomplish, how you will measure your progress, whether your goal is realistic, why it matters, and when you will complete it. For example, a SMART objective for a change management project could be: "By June 30, 2021, we will migrate 80% of our customers to the new online platform, as measured by the number of active accounts, to improve user experience and retention rates." SMART objectives help you to clarify your expectations, communicate your vision, and track your results.

2 How to create SMART objectives for change management?

To create SMART objectives for your change management project, you need to identify the purpose and scope of your change, define the specific outcomes you want to achieve, assess the achievability of your objectives, align your objectives with your organizational strategy and values, and set a realistic and flexible timeline for your change. When doing so, consider the benefits and risks of the change, the stakeholders and how they will be affected, the deliverables and milestones, the criteria for success and failure, the resources, skills, and capabilities needed, the potential barriers and challenges, how the change supports your mission, vision, and goals, how it aligns with your culture and values, how you will communicate and engage your stakeholders, the key dates and deadlines, and how you will monitor and review your progress.

3 How to adapt SMART objectives to changing circumstances or feedback?

Change management is not a linear or static process, requiring constant learning, adaptation, and improvement. To adjust your SMART objectives to changing circumstances or feedback, you should review them regularly and compare them with your actual performance. Additionally, it is important to solicit and incorporate feedback from stakeholders, identify and analyze new opportunities and threats, and modify objectives as needed. However, when modifying objectives, make sure they still meet the SMART criteria and communicate and document your changes.

4 Why are SMART objectives important for change management?

SMART objectives are essential for successful change management, as they help to focus your efforts and resources on what matters most, motivate and inspire your team and stakeholders, measure and evaluate your impact and effectiveness, learn and improve from your experience and feedback, and ultimately achieve your change goals and create positive outcomes.

5 How to use SMART objectives for change management?

SMART objectives are not only a tool for planning your change, but also for implementing and sustaining it. You can use them as a basis for your change plan and roadmap, breaking down your SMART objectives into smaller tasks and assigning roles and responsibilities. SMART objectives can also be used as a communication tool to inform and persuade stakeholders, as well as a monitoring and evaluation tool to track and report progress. Additionally, they can be used as a learning and improvement tool to refine and optimize your change. Collect and analyze data and feedback related to your SMART objectives, and adjust them as necessary to keep them updated and relevant.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?