In the beginning of Senior Proposal, coming up with a project idea proved to be a difficult task. Could of been because when your just randomly thinking of ideas, your mind can run wild with very abstract ideas. Because of this, it was difficult to finalize on an idea that was both achievable in a certain time frame and that could be done within budget. This could only be done if we set realistic goals of what we wanted to achieve.
An acronym, which was introduced to us by Professor Notash, that had helped with this problem was S.M.A.R.T or specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely. We believe that other groups that are coming up or thinking of ideas, could benefit from this as well.
Specific: A thorough and well defined goal.
When we first started to come up with ideas, even though they sound great, there were not specific, they had no specific goal in which we were trying to achieve. So when coming up with an idea, try to envision what you are trying to accomplish first, than work with the other elements that make up this idea. For example, we had an idea of a walker that the elderly could use. This walker would have the ability to let the person using it to be able to sit down and "drive" away. As good as it may sound, it did not have a specific goal in mind. That is when we though of making it a fall detection walker so that if the person using it fell, the walker would automatically call 911 for help. This right here was the specific focus of the idea for the walker.
Measurable: How could you develop a criteria for measuring your progress for completing your goal or idea?
Being able to track and measure your goal is also very important. How do you know you have reached your goal if you do not have a base line of what you want to see as you make progress? Setting up your self with goals with the ability to measure them, will also set you up for success when coming up or designing an idea.
Achievable: How likely is this goal/ idea achievable?
Like stated earlier, coming up with an idea is one thing but coming up with a achievable idea is another. When it comes to thinking if the idea is achievable, their are a couple of things to keep in mind. Do you have the resources and the expertise to complete or achieve this goal? Could you finish it on time and within a budget? Have others done it before you and if so, what did they do that made them successful?
This level of thinking allows you to start thinking outside the box and even comparing your idea to what others have done. We can always learn from watching others.
Realistic: Is this idea realistic?
Any idea can be realistic but is it realistic when you consider a limit on your spending capabilities, your expertise, and your time frame? These are all things that would need to be considered when coming up with or designing an idea.
Timely: Do we have a deadline? If so can we achieve success within or by that deadline?
Time can be your friend or your enemy. Planning out an idea over a span of time can help determine the success of this idea or project. By not setting realistic goals when it comes to time either by not being prepared OR putting to much on your plate with limited time, can be a case of not being able to complete your goal. Because of this, how timely your idea or project is, is a paramount aspect to consider.
We believe that the the acronym S.M.A.R.T can help with the development of an idea or project. I can guarantee that if we had had a better understanding of S.M.A.R.T prior to starting Senior Proposal, we could of saved a ton of time when it came to brain storming for ideas.
Reference: CFI Team, “SMART Goals,” Corporate Finance Institute, 08-May-2022. [Online]. Available: https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/knowledge/other/smart-goal/. [Accessed: 03-Sep-2022].
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