Week 4 · Adaptive Planning Program

16. Goals and SMART Objectives

30 min

By the end you'll be able to

Write objectives that meet all SMART criteria
Distinguish between process, impact, and outcome objectives
Align objectives with program theory and community priorities

Creativity must be channeled into accountability to drive real public health change. This lesson covers the essential framework of SMART Objectives (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) while rigorously distinguishing between Process Objectives (what we do), Impact Objectives (short-term changes), and Outcome Objectives (long-term health status).

We ensure that every goal is not just a wish, but a measurable target aligned with program theory.

Practice quiz

Question 1
Which letter of SMART is most directly violated by the objective ‘Improve community wellness soon’?
- Specific only
- Measurable and Time-bound
- Achievable only
- Relevant only
Question 2
Hosting 12 nutrition workshops in the next year is an example of which kind of objective?
- Outcome objective
- Impact objective
- Process objective
- Theory of change objective
Reflection 3
Distinguish between a process objective, an impact objective, and an outcome objective using a single program example.

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