In any successful venture, business or sporting activity, goal formulation is always the key. This is a process that is followed
in order to come up with working goals and they should have a wider picture of what is to be done followed by breaking the wider picture into smaller targets before execution. Therefore in formulation of these goals they must meet the following criterion which is sometimes referred to as SMART format or methodology:
a. Specific:
Goals should not be too general but very specific thus avoiding ambiguous goals but very clear goals. The goal should tell one or a team what is expected of them or him/her, why it is important, the parties who are involved, where this is going to take place and which aspects are important. Specific goals answer the questions of what, why, who, where and which.
b. Measurable:
In any activity or venture, it is important to determine the progress in attaining the goal. This aspect will therefore help an individual or team to always be on track as this is important in achieving the final goal. For measurability, questions such as how much, how many, how to determine when it is finished will be answered.
c. Attainable:
When formulating goals they should always be realistic and attainable thus goals set should not be out of reach as this will be meaningless in a business/college or sporting event. This will help in identifying earlier opportunities that may have been ignored and alter them in an effort to achieving given goals. This aspect answers the question on how the goal can be attained.
d. Relevant:
Any goal that is set should be relevant meaning that it must be accomplished as this may emerge from a previously achieved goal. This aspect will answer the question on the worthwhile of the venture.
e. Time frame:
Any goal should always be time bound that is the date when it should be accomplished. Time frame therefore brings the element of urgency thus avoiding goals from being overtaken by daily activities. This answers the questions for example when, what to do in six months and what to do in a day.
