What is a crucial characteristic of SMART goals?

A crucial characteristic of SMART goals is that they are measurable. This means that when a goal is set, there should be clear criteria for tracking progress and determining when the goal has been achieved. Measurable goals allow individuals or teams to quantify their success and identify areas that may need improvement. For instance, instead of setting a goal to "increase sales," a measurable goal would specify an increase of "15% over the next quarter." This quantification provides a straightforward way to assess performance and encourages accountability. By having a measurable aspect, stakeholders can easily analyze outcomes and make informed decisions based on the data collected.