Setting Goals

Moving from SMART to SMARTIE

You might have heard about SMART goals, which help individuals and organizations create goals that are concrete enough to create results. However, try adding inclusivity & equity to your student organization goals to create goals that can change the future of your organization.

Much of the information from this guide is adapted from The Management Center, which is a nonprofit for social change leaders.

What are SMARTIE goals?

STRATEGIC

  • reflects an important dimension of what your organization seeks to accomplish (programmatic or capacity-building priorities).

MEASURABLE

  • includes standards by which reasonable people can agree on whether the goal has been met (by numbers or defined qualities).

AMBITIOUS

  • challenging enough that achievement would mean significant progress; a “stretch” for the organization.

REALISTIC

  • not so challenging as to indicate lack of thought about resources or execution; possible to track and worth the time and energy to do so.

TIME-BOUND

  • includes a clear deadline.

INCLUSIVE

  • It brings traditionally marginalized people—particularly those most impacted—into processes, activities, and decision/policy-making in a way that shares power.

EQUITABLE

  • includes an element of fairness or justice that seeks to address systemic injustice, inequity, or oppression.

Use SMARTIE goals!

Click this document and go to File>Make a Copy to start using SMARTIE goals with your own student organization.

Clemson Copy of SMARTIE Goals Worksheet