What are SMART goals in the workplace? (With 5 examples)

SMART goals are a model for setting clear, realistic, and achievable objectives. You might also hear them referred to as SMART targets or SMART objectives. In this guide, we’ll take a look at what these are, how you can write them, and how they can boost your productivity. 

What does SMART stand for?

First things first, let’s kick off with a SMART goals meaning. This acronym stands for:

• Specific: clearly define what you want to accomplish

• Measurable: establish criteria for measuring progress and success

• Achievable: ensure the goal is realistic and attainable

• Relevant: make sure the goal aligns with broader objectives

• Time-bound: set a deadline to achieve the goal

Put simply, a SMART goal outlines precisely what you'll do, how to measure success, why it's important, and when to achieve it. 

Here’s a SMART goal framework:

I want to [S: specific goal], by [M: measurable criteria], in order to [R: relevance]. I will accomplish this by [A: achievable actions] and will achieve it by [T: time-bound deadline].

Having SMART goals helps keep your workload focused and prioritised. Meeting these goals also provides you with solid performance metrics, enabling you to track your accomplishments so you can demonstrate your business contributions more effectively during annual reviews.

How to write SMART goals

Setting practical, professional goals involves more than just stating what you want to achieve. Here's a closer look at each component:

S: specific

A goal needs to be specific to be effective. Try answering the five Ws to develop a complete picture of what this goal looks like and why it's important:

• What exactly do I want to achieve?

• Why is this goal important?

• Who is involved?

• Where is it located?

• Which resources or limits are involved?

Example of a specific goal:

I want to earn a PRINCE2 Foundation certification within the next six months by completing an online course and passing the certification exam.

M: measurable

All objectives must be measurable; otherwise, you'll never know when they will be complete! Incorporate measurable, trackable benchmarks in your SMART objective by answering the following questions:

• What is the total amount of work or effort required?

• What are the specific, quantifiable milestones or steps?

• How will I know when it is accomplished?

Example of a measurable goal:

I want to earn a PRINCE2 Foundation certification. I will complete 35 hours of education, study 10 hours weekly, and score 80% on mock exams. I'll know I've succeeded when I receive the certification.

A: achievable

Goals should challenge you to grow and develop, pushing you beyond your comfort zone whilst developing your adaptability skills. However, they shouldn’t be so lofty that they feel out of reach. Consider your goal with a level head and ask yourself: can I reasonably accomplish this? Is this goal attainable, given my current resources?

If you think you have bitten off more than you can chew, your SMART goal needs scaling back. 

If your manager or other leaders have passed your goal down the chain, it might not be so easy to change. If that's the case, be sure to communicate any restraints or roadblocks, such as time and resources.

Example of an achievable goal:

I will earn the PRINCE2 Foundation certification within six months by completing 35 hours of online education and studying 10 hours weekly. I'll use a study plan to stay on track and seek guidance from a mentor if needed.

R: relevant

Consider the big picture when setting targets in a business setting, whether they’re for professional development or business operations. To sense-check the relevance of your goal, ask yourself the following questions:

• How does this goal support my career growth or the business's objectives?

• Will this goal positively impact the team or organisation?

• Is this goal relevant to current business needs or my career goals and development?

• Does this goal support other ongoing projects or initiatives?

• How will achieving this goal benefit my or the team's or organisation's success?

Example of a relevant goal:

I will earn the PRINCE2 Foundation certification to enhance my project management skills and qualify for advanced roles in my organisation, aligning with my career development plan.

T: time-bound

You, your manager, your team, and the business need to agree on when the goal has been achieved. Set time-related parameters into your goals so everyone knows the milestones and how to stay on track. When making your SMART objective time-bound, answer these questions:

• What can I do today?

• What should I accomplish in six weeks?

• What are my milestones for the next six months?

• What long-term actions should I plan for?

Example of a time-bound goal:

I will earn the PRINCE2 Foundation certification by 31 December. I will complete 15 hours of material and initial exams in six weeks and finish the rest of my study and prep in three months.

5 clear SMART goal examples for work

Looking for some inspiration for your SMART goals worksheet? Here are some SMART goal examples to show you what yours could look like:

1. Personal development SMART goal example

I will earn a PRINCE2 Foundation certification within six months by completing 35 hours of online education, studying 10 hours weekly, and scoring at least 80% on mock exams. I'll start the course today, finish 15 hours of material and initial exams in six weeks, and complete all studies and exam prep in the following three months. Success will be achieving the certification.

2. Customer service SMART goal example

I will boost our SaaS onboarding completion rate by 25% in four months by launching a new tutorial and refining the process based on feedback. I'll monitor progress weekly and adjust based on satisfaction surveys. The tutorial will launch in two weeks, with refinements over the next ten weeks. Success will be a 25% increase in completion rates and a 15% improvement in satisfaction scores.

3. Paid media SMART goal example

I will increase our paid media CTR by 20% in three months by optimising ad copy, adjusting targeting, and conducting A/B testing. I'll track CTR weekly and analyse performance. Changes will be implemented within one month, with A/B testing over the next six weeks. Success will be a 20% CTR increase and improved ROAS.

4. Telesales SMART goal example 

I will increase my conversion rates by 20% within the next four months by using a targeted script overhaul. I'll track conversion rates weekly and adjust the script based on customer feedback and performance data. The new script will be introduced at the start of every week for testing purposes. Success will be a 20% increase in conversion rates and a 10% boost in customer satisfaction scores.

5. Team training SMART goal example

I will aim to improve my team’s productivity by 15% in Q1. I’ll do this by implementing bi-weekly training sessions, focusing on time management, productivity tools, and communication. I’ll track productivity every two weeks and adjust my approach based on the results. The first training session will take place within one week with the sessions being completed in three months. Success will be seeing an average 15% increase in productivity across the team.

Curious if your CV showcases your goal-setting skills effectively? Submit it for a free review and discover how to make the best impression!

This article was originally written by Laura Slingo and has been updated by Charlotte Grainger.

Recommended reading:

• Business acumen: definition and examples

• How to develop a winning business strategy (with examples)

• Boss those project management activities by applying the RASCI model