Certified Nurse Manager and Leader (CNML) Practice Test

Which of the following best describes the SMART(S) framework for goal setting?

1. Simple, Manageable, Attainable, Realistic, Timely, Strategic

2. Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Timely, Strategically Linked

3. Scholarly, Multifaceted, Achievable, Result-driven, Time-oriented, Strategic

4. Stringent, Measurable, Acceptable, Realistic, Thorough, Smart

The correct answer is: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Timely, Strategically Linked

The SMART(S) framework is a well-established method for effective goal setting in various contexts, including healthcare management. The framework emphasizes the importance of creating goals that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely. Specificity ensures that goals are clear and unambiguous, allowing for better understanding and focus. Measurable criteria provide a way to track progress and determine when the goal has been achieved, which adds an element of accountability. The attainability aspect underscores the need for goals to be realistic given the available resources and constraints, ensuring that they are challenging yet achievable. Realistic goals help maintain motivation and prevent frustration, while timeliness emphasizes that goals should have a defined timeline to encourage urgency and prioritize actions. The addition of "Strategically Linked" highlights the importance of aligning goals with broader organizational objectives, ensuring that individual efforts contribute to the overall mission and vision of the organization. This alignment fosters a sense of purpose and direction, enhancing teamwork and collaboration. Other options describe either incorrect terminology or improper interpretations of the fundamental concepts within the SMART framework, which can lead to confusion. The framework’s adherence to clarity, measurement, feasibility, relevance, urgency, and alignment makes the correct option the most representative of this goal