What does the acronym SMART stand for in goal setting?

• A. Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound
• B. Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Timely
• C. Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-based
• D. Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time-bound

Answer: (A)

SMART goals are defined by five attributes that make aims clear and doable: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound. Specific means stating exactly what will be accomplished, leaving no ambiguity about scope. Measurable means you can track progress or know when the goal is reached, often with concrete numbers or milestones. Achievable means the goal is realistic given the available resources, skills, and constraints—ambitious but attainable. Relevant means the goal matters in a larger context and aligns with broader objectives. Time-bound means there is a clear deadline or time frame to create urgency and maintain momentum.

The standard wording uses Time-bound rather than Time-based, and Achievable rather than Attainable; Timely is a related idea but not the conventional term in the classic SMART framework. Realistic is a related concept in some variants, but the widely taught combination is Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound.