Project objectives should be SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Setting SMART project objectives mean you need to have a clear set of a project plan and focus all your resources productively to achieve it within a set time frame.
Specific: Is there a clear action and expected result for the objective?
Measurable: Can the objective be described with numbers for monitoring and evaluation?
Achievable: Is it possible to meet the objective with the time and resources available?
Relevant: Is the objective in line with the goal?
Time-bound: Is there a deadline?
NOT SMART Example: Help women farmers gain income.
SMART Example: Increase by 15% the income level of 100 women farmers in Hilly districts over one year.
NOT SMART Example: Provide health care service to women and Children.
SMART Example: By the end of the project, increase the number of women and children with access to a healthcare worker from 15% to 45%.
Ensuring that the objectives are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound will allow for much easier planning and evaluating once the project is implemented.
Alta Alonzi is a writer and researcher focusing on international development funding and grassroots NGOs. She works with the fundraising consulting company Philantropia conducting research for clients ranging from small NGOs to UN organizations. She also works closely with FundsforNGOs running training webinars, contributing resource guides, and updating the Premium donor database.
DEAR ALTA, THANK YOU FOR THE GOOD WORK YOU DO, IN RESEARCH. MY CONCERN AND DEEP REQUEST IS PUTTING CONSIDERATION OF THOSE SMALL MICRO-GRASS ROOT CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS , ORGANIZED AROUND AN ISSUE, LET US SAY CONFLICTS, IDPs, ETC WHO NEED SUPPORT BUT DUE DONOR FUNDING CRITERIA, THESE GROUPS NEVER MERIT. KINDLY RECOMMEND ON THESE BECAUSE PEOPLE WITH GOOD IDEAS DO NOT GET REACHED FOR SUPPORT, AND THEREFORE THEY EITHER TRY AND GIVE-UP, KEEP SILENT OR RESOLVE INTO WRONG MOTIVES FOR SURVIVAL. THANKS ALTA.
Dear Kisuya,
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[…] Set Goals and Objectives: Once you have identified the problem, set clear goals and objectives for your program. Your goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). […]