How do you set and track SMART goals as a program manager?
As a program manager, you are responsible for delivering complex and cross-functional initiatives that align with your organization's strategic objectives. To do this effectively, you need to set and track SMART goals for yourself and your team members. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. In this article, you will learn how to use this framework to define, monitor, and evaluate your program goals and outcomes.
-
Hariom Singh ᴘʜ.ᴅ. ᴘᴍᴘ® ʀᴍᴘ® ᴍʙᴀTransformative PMO Leader | Simplifier | Problem Solver | Product Partner | Innovation Driver | Operational &…
-
Ben W. CherrySustainability Leadership
-
Karl Espiritu, PMP®, PMI-ACP®, CSM®, CSPO®Global Transformation Strategic Leader | Driving Digital Transformation and Enablement | Leading SPMO, CMO, Product…
SMART goals help you clarify your expectations, communicate your progress, and demonstrate your value as a program manager. By setting SMART goals, you can ensure that your program has a clear purpose, scope, and deliverables that are aligned with the stakeholder's needs and priorities. By tracking SMART goals, you can measure your performance, identify risks and issues, and adjust your plans and resources as needed. By evaluating SMART goals, you can assess your achievements, learn from your challenges, and celebrate your successes.
To set SMART goals, you need to follow a simple process that involves asking yourself five questions for each goal. Specifically, you should consider what you want to accomplish, who is involved, where and when it will happen, how you will measure success, if it is achievable and relevant to the program's vision and mission, and when you will complete your goal. By using these questions as a guide, you can write your SMART goals in a clear and concise way. For instance, rather than saying "Improve customer satisfaction", you can say "Increase the average customer satisfaction rating by 10% by the end of Q2".
-
Effective SMART goal setting in program management demands not only a meticulous crafting of objectives but also rigorous tracking mechanisms. Begin by utilizing state-of-the-art tools such as KPI dashboards and predictive analytics to monitor progress real-time. Elevate tracking to weekly or bi-weekly reviews, focusing on metrics and narratives alike. Moreover, instill a culture of accountability within your team. Transparent communication about each goal, its owner, and its impact promotes individual ownership, essential for the overall success of the program. By blending technology and culture, SMART goals become a dynamic instrument, adaptable to evolving business landscapes.
In order to effectively track SMART goals, a regular and consistent system must be established to monitor progress, report results, and receive feedback from stakeholders. Dashboards and scorecards can be employed to track trends, compare actuals with targets, and identify gaps and opportunities. Status reports and updates can be used to summarize achievements, challenges, and action items for SMART goals, while reviews and meetings provide a forum for feedback, input, and support from team members, stakeholders, and sponsors. Tracking should occur regularly depending on the nature and duration of the program - such as weekly, monthly, or quarterly - in order to ensure all goals are met.
Evaluating SMART goals requires a thorough and objective analysis to measure your outcomes, learn from experiences, and recognize achievements. Various techniques and frameworks can be used for this, such as surveys and feedback to measure satisfaction, quality, and impact; lessons learned and best practices to improve performance, processes, and practices; and recognition and rewards to motivate yourself and your team, build trust and confidence, and foster a culture of excellence. Evaluating SMART goals should be done at the end of the program or at key milestones, such as the end of each phase, deliverable, or cycle.
As a program manager, setting and tracking SMART goals is an ongoing practice that requires continuous improvement. You should review and revise your SMART goals as necessary based on changes in the program environment, stakeholder expectations, and organizational priorities. Additionally, you should seek feedback from customers, stakeholders, and team members on how to improve your SMART goals and outcomes. Furthermore, learning and adopting new tools, techniques, and best practices can help you set and track SMART goals more effectively and efficiently. Ultimately, by improving your SMART goals, you can ensure that your program remains relevant, responsive, and results-oriented.
-
While many of us were taught to use SMART goals, consider setting FAST goals instead! *Frequent- Is talking about goals during yearly reviews sufficient? Incorporate and discuss them frequently with your team. *Ambitious- Stretch yourself and your team. Don't settle for the merely achievable, shoot for the moon! *Specific- You can only hope to manage what you measure after all. This gives context. *Transparent- Open the lines of communication within your team and get on the same page. This reinforces accountability for everyone! Don't sell yourself, your team, or your organization short. Iterate and remain agile along the way. Get uncomfortable and strive for greatness!
Rate this article
More relevant reading
-
Program ManagementHow do you measure program success in a changing business environment?
-
Program ManagementHow can you identify underperforming programs in your portfolio?
-
Service OperationsHow can you prioritize tasks to meet customer needs?
-
Customer RetentionHow can you meet tight deadlines without sacrificing quality?