SMART Framework

At a glance

  • The SMART framework offers a helpful roadmap that Youth Advisory Councils can use for developing goals and action plans.
  • The action plans should be realistic, clear, and carefully written, with results that you can measure.

Overview

A spiral notebook with text that reads, "Set SMART goals."
Your goals and action plan should be doable—given the time and resources you have.

Now it is time to think about developing a plan to meet your Youth Advisory Council's (YAC) goals.

The steps in your plan should be SMART:

  • Specific
  • Measurable
  • Achievable
  • Relevant
  • Time-bound
Keep Reading: Youth Advisory Councils: using data

Specific

Define who, what, and how

  • Be specific. Instead of saying you will "facilitate" student learning on a certain topic, state how you will help students learn about it.
    • Will you host trainings?
    • Will you fundraise to buy materials and books about the topic?
  • Decide on two or three main goals.
    • Identify the who, what, when, where, and why of how you will achieve these goals.
    • This process will help to create an action plan with a solid foundation.
  • Ask:
    • What are the smaller actions that will help reach each main goal?
    • What are the who, what, when, where, and why of these smaller actions.

Measurable

Measuring progress

Deciding how to measure progress is important. Choose the data you will collect to show if you are making progress toward your goals. This measurement will help you know if your actions are really helping the issue you want to address.

Achievable

Understand your resources and time frame

  • Talk to others who have tried to address a similar problem or who started a similar program.
  • Learn what resources they needed.
  • This information can help determine if goals are too high, too low, or on target for the time and resources available.

Know your YAC's limitations. If the YAC members do not have enough time to help with all the activities, who else can work with you? For example, a community-based organization with similar goals could partner with your YAC.

Keep in mind‎

Make sure that your timelines are realistic given everyone's availability and responsibilities. Be careful to not ask your YAC members to devote too much time. Consider everyone's time availability as you list the tasks in your action plan.

Clearly define expectations

Talk with the youth and supportive adults who will implement the action plan. Help everyone agree on the expectations of what will be done, and when. The goal is to make sure that there are no misunderstandings.

  • Know how much each member can accomplish.
  • Adjust the plan as needed to make sure that the commitment from everyone is reasonable.
  • Help people to meet their commitments.
    • For example, should youth be prepared to contribute a certain number of hours per week or a specific number of timeslots each week?
  • Clearly state how youth and adult members will work together on tasks.

Relevant

Results should further your mission

Ask:

  • Will the steps in your action plan produce the desired effects with your issue?
  • Are you reaching the population you want to reach?
  • Do the available resources support your course of action?

Keep in mind‎

Your goal should be twofold: make sure your actions are helping the issue and are in line with the mission and values of your YAC.

Time-bound

Accomplish objectives

Set limits:

  • Develop a reasonable time frame, and stick to it.
  • Create deadlines or time limits for your objectives—so you can achieve your goals.

Not setting limits:

  • May harm the population you want to serve by delaying reaching your goals.
  • Can damage the reputation of your YAC.

Keep in mind‎

When deciding on a time frame, keep in mind the resources you have and the time each YAC member can devote. It is helpful to break up objectives into smaller tasks, each with its own deadline. This makes projects manageable and will help everyone stay on track.
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Content Source:
Division of Adolescent and School Health; National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion