SMART Outcomes - Yes all meetings should have...Lamesha, Robin, Lorie, Liz, Ginger

Group Assignment Number 2:
Should all meetings have SMART outcomes? Write a persuasive argument in favor of this question (Yes, all meetings should have SMART outcomes).

Group Participants:
Lamesha, Robin , Lorie, Elizabeth (Liz) , and Virginia (Ginger)

It is our opinion that the SMART Outcome Principle should be considered and present in all meetings.

Whether you are working in a small group of three individuals or with a conference with 5,000 attendees, all meetings, no matter the size, can benefit from following SMART outcomes. SMART principals can be applied to short conference calls so that these calls are focused and on target (and of course do not turn into longer calls) as well as and especially to longer more time intensive meetings and conferences so that these stay focused and information is not redundant, thus providing participants with high quality programs that they can take back to their schools and districts. The SMART principals even apply to short one-on-one meetings as then both participants know what they are to meet about, how long their meeting will be, what is expected of them at that time and what follow up or assessment measures are needed.

SMART Outcomes also reach multiple learning styles. In order to have a productive meeting and also keeping in mind all learning types, one must have a well-thought out plan. It’s very important to touch on each one of the SMART aspects in order to keep your audience interested. Although, we think you can have meeting flexibility and still incorporate the basic outcomes. Most people want to know what’s in it for them. They may ask for an agenda ahead of time to gather their thoughts. Knowing your audience will help tremendously in thinking through your plan. Ask questions on the registration form ahead of time regarding the specific and attainable needs of the registrant. They’ll feel confident they will walk away with measurable accomplishments. The schedule that most people keep is crazy, so when attending meetings they need to know that it will be useful and they will walk away with additional knowledge. In order to continue successful meetings and participation, attendees will remember their outcome of that meeting and base their next participation on those thoughts. Having SMART outcomes allows the specific purpose of the meeting to be clearly identified and it gives attendees an opportunity to evaluate the meeting and note if the goals were accomplished.

Within the SMART guidelines, by having specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely outcomes determined, meeting planners, presenters, and participants, know what direction the meeting is to take, what goals are to be reached, and how they are to get there.


Specific: A meeting is generally called when there is a need or desire to exchange information and produce an outcome. Productive meetings do not occur without a clear and purposeful objective. A SMART outcome should be the result of a clearly defined objective or goal. Also, planning a clear agenda must occur so that all attendees can identify and explain the purpose of the meeting and it's importance. Lack of clarity, purpose, and direction about a meeting will most likely lead to an unfocused or negative outcome. Attendees should be able to identify the value and goals set in the agenda; otherwise, they will develop their own "mental agenda" and clear purpose will be lost to subjective opinions.

Measurable: Once a clear and purposeful agenda has been set, the outcome of a meeting should be measurable, meaning that work and steps must be planned in order to produce and accomplish an end result or outcome. In order for measurement to happen, specific tasks, and sometimes data driven measures must be taken so that all attendees or participants are able to evaluate and clearly identify, explain, and compare information that will hopefully lead to a desirable outcome. Finally, measurement must be attainable, otherwise proper evaluation will not be possible.

Attainable: After uses of measurement tools have been identified and agreed upon, it is important that a meeting progress and culminate with an end result. It is also imperative that attendees are willing to work towards the set objective and accept assigned tasks. If participants are aware that their assigned task is integral to the outcome, and measurement tools are clear, appropriate, and effective, then a meetings outcome will be attainable.

Relevant: A meeting should always be relevant to the attendee/participant so they can identify their value and contribution to the meeting, and do not become distracted by outside factors such as environment, or other people. The meeting's clearly defined agenda must also be relevant to the outcome so that the measures taken to produce the outcome are aligned. Within the context of SMART outcomes, less time will be wasted on discussions that are not relevant.

Timely: Finally, when setting the agenda, it is crucial to set realistic times for the meeting. When a meeting is not following the specified times, or strays away from the topic at hand, the attention of some attendees may be diverted to other topics or situations that are not relevant to the objective and ultimately, the outcome. Time arrangements and agreements are important in moving outcomes forward. Without deadlines, and/or time restraints, outcomes will be prolonged.