SMART Goals

QUOTE

Rabindranath Tagore once said…

“You can't cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water.”

CONCEPT

SMART Goals

SMART is an acronym that stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

The SMART criteria provide a framework for setting effective goals that are clear, actionable, and have a high likelihood of being achieved. Using the SMART framework can help individuals and organizations to establish objectives that are focused, well-defined, and aligned with their overall priorities.

STORY

Almost ... But Still Phenomenal?

In 1990, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched the ambitious goal of eradicating polio by the year 2000.

Polio is a highly infectious disease that can cause paralysis and even death, primarily affecting young children. At the time, the disease was endemic in over 125 countries, with an estimated 350,000 cases reported annually.

The WHO set a SMART goal to guide their efforts:

The goal was Specific, as it targeted the complete eradication of polio. It was Measurable, as the number of polio cases could be tracked and reported. It was Achievable, as the organization had the necessary tools, such as effective vaccines, to combat the disease. The goal was Relevant, as it aligned with the WHO's broader mission to improve global health. Finally, the goal was Time-bound, with a clear deadline of the year 2000.

By setting a SMART goal, the WHO was able to mobilize resources, develop strategies, and form partnerships to tackle polio on a global scale. Though the initial deadline of 2000 was not met, significant progress was made.

By 2021, polio had been eradicated in all but two countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan, with less than 150 cases reported worldwide.