SMART Cards for SMART Objectives

Objectives should be SMART— Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-phased.

Objectives are statements that describe results to be achieved and how they will be achieved.

S = Specific

•	SMART objectives are specific. 
•	Specific objectives provide the who (target population) and what (action/activity) of program activities. 
•	A specific objective uses only one action verb. 

M = Measurable

•	SMART objectives are measurable. 
•	Measurable objectives focus on how much change is expected. 
•	A measurable objective provides a reference point from which a change in the target population can clearly be measured. 

A = Achievable

•	SMART objectives are achievable. 
•	Achievable objectives are attainable given your program’s current resources and constraints. 
•	An achievable objective is attainable within a given time frame. 

R = Realistic

•	SMART objectives are realistic. 
•	Realistic objectives address the scope of the health problem and propose reasonable programmatic steps. 
•	A realistic objective directly relates to the program goal. 

T = Time-phased

•	SMART objectives are time-phased. 
•	Time-phased objectives provide a time frame indicating when the objective will be met. 
•	A time-phased objective indicates when the objective will be measured. 
 

For More Information 

E-mail ert@cdc.gov

Phone 

Karen Debrot, ERT TA Coordinator
CDC-DASH
770-488-1037
BOL6@cdc.gov

Leah Robin, ERT Team Leader
CDC-DASH
770-488-6187
LER7@cdc.gov

Web www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/evaluation