The SMART acronym has been commonly used across successful organisations as the cornerstone of their goal-setting for some time, with the acronym representing:

  • Specific: Objectives should be clear, well-defined, and focused on addressing specific areas of concern within the workplace. (Rather than setting vague goals like “improve safety/quality/environmental management”.)
  • Measurable: Objectives should be quantifiable to track progress and evaluate success.
  • Achievable: Objectives should be realistic and attainable based on available resources, expertise, and timeframes.
  • Relevant: Objectives should be aligned with the organisation’s overall goals and priorities. They should address significant risks and concerns specific to the workplace context.
  • Time-bound: Objectives should have clearly defined deadlines or timeframes for completion.

But in the interests of further promoting continuous improvement, we should be extending our focus and become SMARTER by adding:

  • Evaluated: Objectives should be regularly assessed to track progress, identify challenges, and make necessary adjustments. Continuous evaluation allows organisations to stay proactive in addressing emerging WHS issues and ensures that objectives remain relevant and effective over time.
  • Reviewed: Objectives should undergo periodic reviews to reflect changes in the workplace environment, regulations, or organisational priorities. Regular review sessions provide opportunities to assess the effectiveness of existing WHS strategies, identify areas for improvement, and adjust objectives accordingly to maintain alignment with organisational goals.

This process of evaluation and review may not be ground-breaking, but it does act as reminder to formally include these processes as part of planning, and reinforces that it is not a set-and-forget annual task. Strategic Planning should be monitored, evaluated and reviewed to track progress and consider if there are any emerging risks that need to be integrated within the planning process.

This aligns closely with ISO 45004:2024, which provides guidance on establishing processes for monitoring, measuring, analysing, and evaluating, including the development of applicable indicators for the assessment of WHS performance. (You can also refer to our article ‘Understanding ISO 45004:2024’ here.)

Please contact QRMC for more information or assistance.