---
title: "Project goal setting and criteria (SMART)"
subject: "Project Engineering"
chapter: 1
key: "semester_7/project_engineering:goal-setting-criteria"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/project_engineering/goal-setting-criteria
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Project goal setting and criteria (SMART)

Project Engineering · Chapter 1: Introduction of Project and Project Management

- Asked in: 2072 Chaitra, 5 marks; 2070 Chaitra, 5 marks; 2070 Chaitra (old course), 4 marks; 2066 Bhadra (old course), 4 marks; 2068 Baisakh (old course), 8 marks (asked 5 times)
- Video: [SMART Goals (Explained) - Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Time-Bound](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hj7Kw3fDNaw) — Helpful Professor Explains!
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/project_engineering/goal-setting-criteria
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/project_engineering/chapter-1

## Question

How are project goals or objectives set? Explain the goal setting criteria (SMART) with the aid of a suitable example.

## Short answer

Project goals are set by identifying needs and stakeholders, then defining objectives that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound (SMART). For example, constructing a 12 km black-topped road within 24 months and NRs 40 crore budget.

## Answer

Goals and objectives are set by understanding the need or problem, consulting the stakeholders, and stating the end result in clear, measurable terms. The usual sequence is:

1. Identify the need or problem and the stakeholders.
2. State the broad goal (the long-term purpose).
3. Break the goal into specific objectives (short-term, measurable results).
4. Test each objective against the SMART criteria.
5. Get approval from the client and revise if resources or constraints do not match.

#### SMART criteria

| Letter | Criterion | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| S | Specific | Clear and unambiguous; says what, where and for whom |
| M | Measurable | Quantity, quality or cost can be checked |
| A | Achievable | Possible with available resources and technology |
| R | Realistic / Relevant | Matches the need and the organisation's capacity |
| T | Time-bound | Has a deadline or time frame |

#### Example
Poor objective: "Improve the road to the village."

SMART objective: "Construct a 12 km, 5.5 m wide black-topped road from X to Y, within 24 months, at a cost not exceeding NRs 40 crore, meeting Department of Roads standards."

- Specific: 12 km black-topped road from X to Y.
- Measurable: length, width, cost and standard are given.
- Achievable: the equipment, contractor and budget are available.
- Realistic: the village needs year-round access.
- Time-bound: 24 months.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. Which is the correct order for setting project goals?
   A. State SMART objectives first, then identify the need, then the broad goal
   B. Identify need and stakeholders, state broad goal, break into objectives, test against SMART, get client approval
   C. Get client approval first, then identify the need, then set objectives
   D. Break into objectives, identify stakeholders, then state the broad goal without any testing
   Answer: B. The need and stakeholders come first; the broad goal is broken into objectives, tested with SMART and approved by the client. (Key point: Goal setting sequence)

2. What do the letters in SMART stand for in goal setting?
   A. Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic/Relevant, Time-bound
   B. Simple, Monitored, Approved, Reported, Tested
   C. Specific, Managed, Allocated, Reviewed, Timed
   D. Strategic, Measured, Authorised, Required, Tracked
   Answer: A. SMART objectives are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic/relevant and time-bound. (Key point: SMART letters)

3. Why is 'Improve the road to the village' a poor objective while 'Construct a 12 km, 5.5 m wide black-topped road within 24 months at not more than NRs 40 crore' is SMART?
   A. The first is too expensive and the second is cheaper
   B. The first is for a village and the second is for a city
   C. The first has no quantity, standard, cost or deadline, while the second gives length, width, cost, standard and time
   D. The first has too many details and the second has fewer
   Answer: C. A SMART objective states what, how much, to what standard, at what cost and by when. (Key point: SMART objective example)

4. In SMART, what does 'Achievable' check compared with 'Realistic'?
   A. Achievable: has a deadline; Realistic: has a budget
   B. Achievable: possible with available resources and technology; Realistic: matches the need and the organisation's capacity
   C. Achievable: can be measured; Realistic: is clearly stated
   D. Achievable: is approved by client; Realistic: is cheap
   Answer: B. A is about resources and technology available; R is about relevance to the need and capacity. (Key point: Achievable vs Realistic)

## Related in Project Engineering

- [Project, characteristics and SMART goal setting](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Aproject-explain-goal-setting-smart) — Project Engineering, chapter 1
- [Goal vs objective; goal setting criteria](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Agoal-objective-difference-criteria) — Project Engineering, chapter 1
- [Life cycle phases and goal setting example](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Alife-cycle-phase-goal-example) — Project Engineering, chapter 1
- [Project family tree and goal criteria](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Aproject-family-tree-goal-criteria) — Project Engineering, chapter 1
- [Goal versus objective of a project](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Agoal-vs-objective-example) — Project Engineering, chapter 1

## Related in other subjects

- [Needs, goals, constraints and criteria](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fmachine_design_i%3Aproblem-statement-needs-goals-constraints) — Machine Design I, chapter 4