{"id":13737,"date":"2023-09-07T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-09-07T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/?p=13737"},"modified":"2026-04-21T12:53:08","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T16:53:08","slug":"smart-measures-and-criteria","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mgrush.com\/blog\/smart-measures-and-criteria\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Facilitate Vague Indicators into SMART Measures and Criteria"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Meeting participants don’t argue about verbs and nouns, they argue about modifiers. Modifiers include adjectives, adverbs, and prepositions. For example…<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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Facilitating the transformation of vague indicators into SMART (Specific, Measurable, Adjustable, Relevant, Time-based) measures and criteria is crucial for turning abstract ideas into actionable outcomes. When participants in a meeting debate modifiers\u2014adjectives, adverbs, and prepositions\u2014they’re often grappling with the subjective elements of goals, such as the difference between completing a task “well” or “quickly.” The key to moving from subjective to objective understanding is identifying clear, quantifiable measures.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\"SMART<\/a>Edwards Deming provided the original acronym and definition of<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>SMART<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>as specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-based.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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At\u00a0<\/span>MGRUSH<\/span><\/a><\/em>\u00a0<\/span>we frequently change the \u201cA\u201d to\u00a0<\/span>adjustable<\/em>\u00a0<\/span>as explained later. Finding the\u00a0specific<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>and\u00a0<\/span>measurable<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>represents the most common challenge when creating\u00a0<\/span>SMART measures or objectives. Finding the\u00a0<\/span>unit of measurement<\/em>\u00a0quickly shifts arguments from the subjective to the objective.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Use the following question to build consensus around\u00a0<\/span>SMART\u00a0<\/span>measures (objective) rather than fuzzy goals (subjective).<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is the unit of measurement for (<\/span>insert modifier<\/u><\/em>)?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Transition from Subjective to Objective<\/strong><\/h3>\n

To transition from subjective discussions to objective, actionable plans, employ a powerful question to pinpoint SMART measures: “What is the unit of measurement for [insert modifier]?” This question shifts focus from abstract descriptors to concrete, quantifiable terms, facilitating consensus on specific, measurable objectives.<\/span><\/p>\n

Understand the different types of criteria<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
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There is no universally accepted definition of terms used to describe measures. The history of\u00a0<\/span>SMART\u00a0<\/span>criteria reflects\u00a0<\/span>CSF, CTQ, FMA, KPI, NCT, OKR, TQM,\u00a0<\/span>and others.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

There are differences of course. For example, with Six Sigma, <\/span>SMART <\/span>criteria are frequently referred to as <\/span>CTQ, or Critical to Quality measurements. CTQ\u00a0<\/span>might substitute the following questions for the <\/span>SMART <\/span>test:<\/span><\/p>\n

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    1. Specifically, stated with upper and lower specification limits?<\/span><\/li>\n
    2. Is it directional so that we can objectively determine whether it is increasing, decreasing, or staying the same?<\/span><\/li>\n
    3. To what extent is it linked to specific customer needs connected to the objectives of the project?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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      We won’t bother you with additional explanations (such as\u00a0<\/span>OKR) since they all represent measures of success (or failure). As the process policeman, however, facilitators must control the operational definitions. Use whatever terms work for your culture, but aspire for consistency and do not permit arguments about the definitions of terms you use in the meeting purpose, meeting scope, and meeting deliverables.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

      The purpose of all\u00a0SMART\u00a0measures is to identify WHAT an organization will measure as it reaches toward its future vision. Measures enable a group to shape and define the most appropriate strategies, activities, or tactics (i.e., <\/span>WHAT <\/span>to do to reach the vision). <\/span>SMART\u00a0<\/span>measures are particularly helpful since they are objective and non-biased by perception. Understand the next two measurement types that follow to effectively facilitate consensus.<\/span><\/p>\n

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      Defined Measures: Objectives, Goals, and Considerations\u2666<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n