SMART Objective Review
Ashley Suker PUBH 381
Next
SMART Goals and Objectives
Messy Room Scenario
Review SMART Objectives
Choose Your Own SMART Adventure Practice
Messy Room Scenario
Let's pretend that you just asked your 11-year old son to clean his bedroom.
After begging, pleading, and bargaining, he reluctantly agrees to comply.
Next
Messy Room Scenario
You come back to find the room CLEANER, but not exactly clean.
You can't figure out what went wrong. You thought you were clear that the room needed to be clean.
Before
After
What went wrong?
Next
So what went wrong? Why didn't the room cleaning meet your expectations?
Choose the BEST option from the list below.
Cleaning is not fun, your expectations for cleanliness are too high
Your instructions were unclear, and as a result you and your son have different definitions of clean
I prefer not answer
Next
Cleaning is not fun, your expectations for cleanliness are too high
While this may be true, this is not why the room was not cleaned correctly.
CLICK to TRY AGAIN
I prefer not to answer
So sorry, that is incorrect.
CLICK to TRY AGAIN
Your instructions were unclear, and as a result, you and your son have different definitions of clean
CORRECT! You told your son to "clean his room", but didn't list any specific items to clean up, give a timeline for completion, or explain how you planned to measure "clean". Your son thought he followed your instructions.
Ok, but I need the room to be cleaned to my standards.
CLICK HERE to find out how to get your son to clean his room.
Unfortunately, your original instructions were vague. You need to be very specific about 1) the steps required to clean a room, 2)how you measure "clean", and 3) a timeline for completion.
Your instructions need to be
Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Timebound
Next
Let's Try Again
Instead of saying
CLEAN YOUR ROOM!
Try this
Instead of begging and telling your son to "clean his room"
CLICK HERE
You come prepared with a list of tasks, an explanation of how you will measure clean, and a clear deadline
Next
Provide a List!
To clean your room, please complete the following steps:
- Pick up all clothes from the floor
- Put all dirty clothe s in the dirty laundry hamper
- Put all clean clothes in the correct drawer
- Pick up all books and put them on the correct bookshelf
- Sort toys by category (legos, stuffed animals, trucks, planes, dolls, etc.)
- Place sorted toys in the correctly labeled bins and return the filled bins to the shelf
- Pick up and put all trash in the trashcan
- Pick up all bedding and pillows and put on the bed
- Make the bed (blankets tucked in, sheets smoothed, pillows arranged)
- Put desk items in the correct drawers, throw all desk trash in trashcan
- Vacuum cleaned floor
All items must be complete by noon today
If you come back and the room is not clean, it's not because your son didn't know what to do.
Next
Ok, but how does this relate to writing SMART objectives?
SMART objectives are like the list of steps you gave your son.
Using SMART objectives keeps projects FOCUSED and ON-TIME
When SMART elements are missing, objectives can be misinterpreted and ineffective
Next
Let's review the SMART elements
CLICK HERE to review
Let's review
SMART stands for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and timebound.
Next
What does this look like in public health practice?
Next
Objective missing SMART elements
By 2025, communicable disease deaths will be reduced by 20%.
Some elements are included, but not enough to make this objective clear, actionable, or measurable.
Next
Let's take a closer look
By 2025 (more information needed)
The overall program goal is to reduce communicable disease deaths (more information needed)
Cannot be assessed with the information provided
Cannot be assessed with the information provided
Missing information on the actual interventions and target group
By 2025, communicable disease deaths will be reduced by 20%.
Next
Objective with ALL 5 SMART Elements
By the end of the 2026-2027 school year, the influenza mortality rate among school-aged children will be reduced by 15% compared to the 2022-2023 school year through hosting three free districtwide flu vaccine clinics per semester, ensuring at least 75% of students are vaccinated.
I know this objective is longer, but what makes it better?
Next
By the end of the 2026-2027 school year, the influenza mortality rate among school-aged children will be reduced by 15% compared to the 2022-2023 school year through hosting three free districtwide flu vaccine clinics per semester, ensuring at least 75% of students are vaccinated.
Reduce influenza mortality rate among school-aged children by 15% compared to 2022-2023 school year rates
3 free vaccine clinics
15% reduction compared to baseline
75% vaccination rate
Planned program utilizes exisiting resources so it appears to be achievable
15% reduction in influenza mortality among this age group is likely just 1 or 2 deaths, which is realistic
The overarching goal is to reduce communicable disease deaths, influenza is a communicable disease
The objective will be completed by the end of the 2026-2027 school year
Next
Ok, I think I understand, but can I practice?
Of course!
Next
Choose your own adventure
Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger
Reduce Child Mortality
Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women
Did you know that the topics above are part of the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)? Visit un.org/millenniumgoals for more information.
Goal:
Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
Select the BEST* objective
Remember the best objectives are
By 2026, worldwide hunger will be cut in half.
By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and income of female farmers in the Mathura District of India, by expanding the the collaborative relationship between the Women Farmer Empowerment Programme, the Self-Employed Women's Association, and the UN Food Programme.
By 2030, end all forms of malnutrition among young children ages 0-5.
Return to practice questions
Continue to next section
incorrect.
By 2026, worldwide hunger will be cut in half.
This objective is not
The BEST objectives include actionable steps for achieving the goal. If your goal is to reduce world hunger, what specific steps need to be taken?
CLICK TO TRY AGAIN
correct.
By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and income of female farmers in the Mathura District of India, by expanding the the collaborative relationship between the Women Farmer Empowerment Programme, the Self-Employed Women's Association, and the UN Food Programme.
double agricultural productivity and income for female farmers in the Mathura District of India through partnerships
agricultural producitivty and income levels of female farmers
likely possible if existing relationships are leveraged
if hunger and poverty are reduced in one area, it will contribute to the global goal
by 2030
Return to practice questions
Continue to next section
incorrect.
By 2030, end all forms of malnutrition among young children ages 0-5.
This objective is not
The BEST objectives include actionable steps for achieving the goal. If your goal is to reduce world hunger, what specific steps need to be taken?
CLICK TO TRY AGAIN
Goal:
Reduce child mortality
Select the BEST* objective
Remember the best objectives are
By 2026, reduce the global mortality ratio.
By 2030, reduce premature mortality from malaria among children under 5 years in the Ahafo and Ashanti regions of Ghana through a 20% increase in UN funding to the existing National Malaria Elimination Program (NMEP).
By 2030, reduce the number of unintentional injuries to children under 5 globally.
Return to practice questions
Continue to next section
incorrect.
By 2026, reduce the global mortality ratio.
This objective is not
The BEST objectives include actionable steps for achieving the goal. If your goal is to reduce child mortaility, what specific steps need to be taken?
CLICK TO TRY AGAIN
correct.
By 2030, reduce premature mortality from malaria among children under 5 years in the Ahafo and Ashanti regions of Ghana through a 20% increase in UN funding to the existing National Malaria Elimination Program (NMEP).
reduce premature mortaility rate in Ahafo and Ashanti regions of Ghana
20% increase in funding (can be measured with program financial statements)
feasible with increased funding and if other resources remain constant
child mortaility rates are heavily impacted by malaria in this region, reducing malaria deaths will reduce the overall child mortality rate
by 2030
Return to practice questions
Continue to next section
incorrect.
By 2030, reduce the number of unintentional injuries to children under 5 globally.
This objective is not
The BEST objectives include actionable steps for achieving the goal. If your goal is to reduce child mortaility, what specific steps need to be taken?
CLICK TO TRY AGAIN
Promote gender equality and empower women
Goal:
Select the BEST* objective
Remember the best objectives are
By 2030, increase gender equality and empower women
By 2026, establish a dedicated working group within the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to develop methodologies for tracking the time spent in unpaid care and domestic work among women aged 18-54 in the United States.
By 2030, improve job training for women worldwide.
Return to practice questions
Continue to next section
incorrect.
By 2030, increase gender equality and empower women
This objective is not
The BEST objectives include actionable steps for achieving the goal. If your goal is to increase gender equality and empower women, what specific steps need to be taken?
CLICK TO TRY AGAIN
correct.
By 2026, establish a dedicated working group within the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to develop methodologies for tracking the time spent in unpaid care and domestic work among women aged 18-54 in the United States.
establish working group within the CDC with the purpose of establishing data collection methodologies
success is measured by the establishment of the working group
achievement is likely given the simplicity of the objective
Establishing gender equality requires understanding all the work women perform, not just tracking paid work. This information is difficult to access now, but a working group can improve that
by 2026
Return to practice questions
Continue to next section
incorrect.
By 2030, improve job training for women worldwide.
This objective is not
The BEST objectives include actionable steps for achieving the goal. If your goal is to increase gender equality and empower women, what specific steps need to be taken?
CLICK TO TRY AGAIN
Thank you for reviewing SMART objectives!
Return to main menu
SMART Objective Review
Ashley Suker
Created on September 28, 2024
SMART Objective Review and Practice
Start designing with a free template
Discover more than 1500 professional designs like these:
View
Genial Calendar 2026
View
School Calendar 2026
View
January Higher Education Academic Calendar
View
School Year Calendar January
View
Academic Calendar January
View
Choice Board Flipcards
View
Comic Flipcards
Explore all templates
Transcript
SMART Objective Review
Ashley Suker PUBH 381
Next
SMART Goals and Objectives
Messy Room Scenario
Review SMART Objectives
Choose Your Own SMART Adventure Practice
Messy Room Scenario
Let's pretend that you just asked your 11-year old son to clean his bedroom.
After begging, pleading, and bargaining, he reluctantly agrees to comply.
Next
Messy Room Scenario
You come back to find the room CLEANER, but not exactly clean.
You can't figure out what went wrong. You thought you were clear that the room needed to be clean.
Before
After
What went wrong?
Next
So what went wrong? Why didn't the room cleaning meet your expectations?
Choose the BEST option from the list below.
Cleaning is not fun, your expectations for cleanliness are too high
Your instructions were unclear, and as a result you and your son have different definitions of clean
I prefer not answer
Next
Cleaning is not fun, your expectations for cleanliness are too high
While this may be true, this is not why the room was not cleaned correctly.
CLICK to TRY AGAIN
I prefer not to answer
So sorry, that is incorrect.
CLICK to TRY AGAIN
Your instructions were unclear, and as a result, you and your son have different definitions of clean
CORRECT! You told your son to "clean his room", but didn't list any specific items to clean up, give a timeline for completion, or explain how you planned to measure "clean". Your son thought he followed your instructions.
Ok, but I need the room to be cleaned to my standards.
CLICK HERE to find out how to get your son to clean his room.
Unfortunately, your original instructions were vague. You need to be very specific about 1) the steps required to clean a room, 2)how you measure "clean", and 3) a timeline for completion.
Your instructions need to be
Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Timebound
Next
Let's Try Again
Instead of saying
CLEAN YOUR ROOM!
Try this
Instead of begging and telling your son to "clean his room"
CLICK HERE
You come prepared with a list of tasks, an explanation of how you will measure clean, and a clear deadline
Next
Provide a List!
To clean your room, please complete the following steps:
All items must be complete by noon today
If you come back and the room is not clean, it's not because your son didn't know what to do.
Next
Ok, but how does this relate to writing SMART objectives?
SMART objectives are like the list of steps you gave your son.
Using SMART objectives keeps projects FOCUSED and ON-TIME
When SMART elements are missing, objectives can be misinterpreted and ineffective
Next
Let's review the SMART elements
CLICK HERE to review
Let's review
SMART stands for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and timebound.
Next
What does this look like in public health practice?
Next
Objective missing SMART elements
By 2025, communicable disease deaths will be reduced by 20%.
Some elements are included, but not enough to make this objective clear, actionable, or measurable.
Next
Let's take a closer look
By 2025 (more information needed)
The overall program goal is to reduce communicable disease deaths (more information needed)
Cannot be assessed with the information provided
Cannot be assessed with the information provided
Missing information on the actual interventions and target group
By 2025, communicable disease deaths will be reduced by 20%.
Next
Objective with ALL 5 SMART Elements
By the end of the 2026-2027 school year, the influenza mortality rate among school-aged children will be reduced by 15% compared to the 2022-2023 school year through hosting three free districtwide flu vaccine clinics per semester, ensuring at least 75% of students are vaccinated.
I know this objective is longer, but what makes it better?
Next
By the end of the 2026-2027 school year, the influenza mortality rate among school-aged children will be reduced by 15% compared to the 2022-2023 school year through hosting three free districtwide flu vaccine clinics per semester, ensuring at least 75% of students are vaccinated.
Reduce influenza mortality rate among school-aged children by 15% compared to 2022-2023 school year rates
3 free vaccine clinics
15% reduction compared to baseline
75% vaccination rate
Planned program utilizes exisiting resources so it appears to be achievable
15% reduction in influenza mortality among this age group is likely just 1 or 2 deaths, which is realistic
The overarching goal is to reduce communicable disease deaths, influenza is a communicable disease
The objective will be completed by the end of the 2026-2027 school year
Next
Ok, I think I understand, but can I practice?
Of course!
Next
Choose your own adventure
Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger
Reduce Child Mortality
Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women
Did you know that the topics above are part of the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)? Visit un.org/millenniumgoals for more information.
Goal:
Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
Select the BEST* objective
Remember the best objectives are
By 2026, worldwide hunger will be cut in half.
By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and income of female farmers in the Mathura District of India, by expanding the the collaborative relationship between the Women Farmer Empowerment Programme, the Self-Employed Women's Association, and the UN Food Programme.
By 2030, end all forms of malnutrition among young children ages 0-5.
Return to practice questions
Continue to next section
incorrect.
By 2026, worldwide hunger will be cut in half.
This objective is not
The BEST objectives include actionable steps for achieving the goal. If your goal is to reduce world hunger, what specific steps need to be taken?
CLICK TO TRY AGAIN
correct.
By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and income of female farmers in the Mathura District of India, by expanding the the collaborative relationship between the Women Farmer Empowerment Programme, the Self-Employed Women's Association, and the UN Food Programme.
double agricultural productivity and income for female farmers in the Mathura District of India through partnerships
agricultural producitivty and income levels of female farmers
likely possible if existing relationships are leveraged
if hunger and poverty are reduced in one area, it will contribute to the global goal
by 2030
Return to practice questions
Continue to next section
incorrect.
By 2030, end all forms of malnutrition among young children ages 0-5.
This objective is not
The BEST objectives include actionable steps for achieving the goal. If your goal is to reduce world hunger, what specific steps need to be taken?
CLICK TO TRY AGAIN
Goal:
Reduce child mortality
Select the BEST* objective
Remember the best objectives are
By 2026, reduce the global mortality ratio.
By 2030, reduce premature mortality from malaria among children under 5 years in the Ahafo and Ashanti regions of Ghana through a 20% increase in UN funding to the existing National Malaria Elimination Program (NMEP).
By 2030, reduce the number of unintentional injuries to children under 5 globally.
Return to practice questions
Continue to next section
incorrect.
By 2026, reduce the global mortality ratio.
This objective is not
The BEST objectives include actionable steps for achieving the goal. If your goal is to reduce child mortaility, what specific steps need to be taken?
CLICK TO TRY AGAIN
correct.
By 2030, reduce premature mortality from malaria among children under 5 years in the Ahafo and Ashanti regions of Ghana through a 20% increase in UN funding to the existing National Malaria Elimination Program (NMEP).
reduce premature mortaility rate in Ahafo and Ashanti regions of Ghana
20% increase in funding (can be measured with program financial statements)
feasible with increased funding and if other resources remain constant
child mortaility rates are heavily impacted by malaria in this region, reducing malaria deaths will reduce the overall child mortality rate
by 2030
Return to practice questions
Continue to next section
incorrect.
By 2030, reduce the number of unintentional injuries to children under 5 globally.
This objective is not
The BEST objectives include actionable steps for achieving the goal. If your goal is to reduce child mortaility, what specific steps need to be taken?
CLICK TO TRY AGAIN
Promote gender equality and empower women
Goal:
Select the BEST* objective
Remember the best objectives are
By 2030, increase gender equality and empower women
By 2026, establish a dedicated working group within the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to develop methodologies for tracking the time spent in unpaid care and domestic work among women aged 18-54 in the United States.
By 2030, improve job training for women worldwide.
Return to practice questions
Continue to next section
incorrect.
By 2030, increase gender equality and empower women
This objective is not
The BEST objectives include actionable steps for achieving the goal. If your goal is to increase gender equality and empower women, what specific steps need to be taken?
CLICK TO TRY AGAIN
correct.
By 2026, establish a dedicated working group within the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to develop methodologies for tracking the time spent in unpaid care and domestic work among women aged 18-54 in the United States.
establish working group within the CDC with the purpose of establishing data collection methodologies
success is measured by the establishment of the working group
achievement is likely given the simplicity of the objective
Establishing gender equality requires understanding all the work women perform, not just tracking paid work. This information is difficult to access now, but a working group can improve that
by 2026
Return to practice questions
Continue to next section
incorrect.
By 2030, improve job training for women worldwide.
This objective is not
The BEST objectives include actionable steps for achieving the goal. If your goal is to increase gender equality and empower women, what specific steps need to be taken?
CLICK TO TRY AGAIN
Thank you for reviewing SMART objectives!
Return to main menu