What is a SMART goal and give an example applicable to job performance?

• A. A vague and unmeasurable goal.
• B. No deadline.
• C. Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound; e.g., Reduce average response time by 20% within 3 months.
• D. Not achievable.

Answer: (C)

A SMART goal is a goal that is Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. For job performance, a SMART example is to reduce average response time by 20% within 3 months. It’s Specific because it targets the exact metric to improve—response time. It’s Measurable because the 20% reduction provides a numeric way to track progress. It’s Achievable because the target is realistically attainable with the right effort and resources within the given timeframe. It’s Relevant because faster response times directly impact service quality and efficiency, aligning with performance expectations. It’s Time-bound because there is a clear deadline of 3 months to achieve the improvement.

The other options miss one or more SMART elements: the first is vague and unmeasurable, the second has no deadline, and the last suggests a goal that isn’t realistically attainable.