The Project Objective

The project objective should answer the question: “What do I want to achieve/avoid through doing this project?”

There is a simple rule you can apply to ensure you have rigorous and complete project objectives. This is known as the S.M.A.R.T. Model. SMART is an acronym for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timeframes.
Specific Clearly states what must be achieved.
Measurable Clearly states how success will be measured.
Achievable Is realistic in terms of effort and expenditure.
Relevant Meets the organisation’s strategic plan; contributes to achievement of a significant venture.
Timebound Clearly states start and end times, and downtime if appropriate.
(Cost You may wish to add roughly how much will the project cost.)
Of the above five components of objectives, Achievable and Relevant are not always documented, although you must ensure they are taken into consideration in writing the objective.

Project Objective Example – The Garden Shed
(As I have no room in the garage for my gardening tools, I will do the following project:)
To build a two-door garden shed that is 2 metres wide, 1.8 metres deep and 2 metres tall and has two doors on the concrete slab in my backyard. Starting this Saturday morning, and finishing by sundown Sunday. The kit and tools should cost $2,500.
(I am using a kit and have done this once before, so do not expect any major problems.)

Explanation of Example:
Specific … build a garden shed …
Measurable … that is 2 metres wide, 1.8 metres deep and 2 metres tall and has two doors on the concrete slab in my backyard …
Achievable … (I am using a kit and have done this once before) ...
Relevant … (I have no room in the garage for my gardening tools)...
Timebound … starting this Saturday morning, and finishing by sundown Sunday.
Cost … $2,500 for kit and tools.

The Ultimate Objective

In addition to the Project Objective, in many situations there is an Ultimate Objective. The Ultimate Objective is the objective for which we are undertaking the project. In the case of the building of the Chunnel (the tunnel beneath the English Channel), the Project Objective involved digging a long tunnel and lining it with concrete. However, the Ultimate Objective was linking England with the Continent of Europe, a far larger undertaking that just digging a hole. For some people the Ultimate Objective may have been to improve the links between the United Kingdom and the European Union; or to create a cost-effective method of transporting goods between the United Kingdom and the European Union. Be sure to know and understand the Ultimate Objective.

ACTIVITY:
Take a sheet of paper and write the letters SMART down the left side, giving yourself plenty of space to fill in the details. Fill in the details. Then ask someone to read over the objective - ask for their honest feedback abotu what you have written.