Question

Mohammed works in a marketing department and is working on his Master's Degree in Marketing. His career goal is to become the marketing department manager one day.
How should Mohammed improve his goal?

(A) He should make it more realistic.
(B) He should make it more specific.
(C) He should include a measurement system.
(D) He should include a timeframe.

Answer 1

Answer:

(D) He should include a timeframe.

Explanation:

A concrete mapping of his goal in a timeframe is all Mohammed needs to make his goal SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely).

Since Mohammed is someone who has a strong educational and professional background regarding his goal, then the goal automatically becomes realistic and achievable. On the other hand, it is also specific, since he clearly states his desired position (he emphasizes the job of marketing department manager instead of simply stating he wants a promotion).

Since his goal is a discrete (not continuous) event, the Measurable characteristic is somewhat irrelevant.

All that is left for him to do is to state by which point in time he wants to achieve that goal (e.g. in five years' time).