As this year is at the finish line and a new one approaches, it’s time to reflect on what went well, what can be improved, and what we can do next. This is true not only of the project goals but also of our personal goals. Thankfully, we can use the same tools to build, control, and push forward our desires.
In IT we build many different tools and techniques to move our projects forward. These tools can also help us achieve our personal goals.
Some goals are like metrics.
We track various metrics across our systems and projects to ensure that development progresses as planned and the software we build meets the standards our clients expect. The most effective framework for tracking and evaluating these metrics is based on principles introduced by Tom Gilb. Metrics should be defined using four values: current, limit, goal, and ideal.
- Current: The value as it stands right now.
- Limit: The minimum acceptable value we cannot go below.
- Goal: The target value we are actively working toward.
- Ideal (wish): The ultimate value we aspire to achieve.
This framework can also be applied to personal goal-setting. For example, it’s easy to say, “I want to go to the gym once a week,” but without proper context, such a goal can quickly become overwhelming. If you miss a single week, your ambitious target might feel shattered. To avoid this, you can define your goal using the same structured approach as a metric.
If your current gym attendance is zero or once a month, maintaining a weekly habit may feel daunting. Instead, break it down:
- Set your goal of going to the gym once a week.
- Define your limit as twice per month, ensuring a realistic baseline.
- Set your ideal as twice per week to reflect your ultimate aspiration.
This structure makes the goal more achievable. You now have a clear current state, an ambitious goal, and some flexibility to accommodate life’s unpredictability. Striving for perfection is admirable, but accounting for imperfection makes success more attainable.
Accomplishing our dreams.
While the previous section focused on goals that resemble habits—things we do consistently and aim to improve—some goals are one-time actions or accomplishments. These types of goals can also benefit from clear metrics, but they are often easier to manage using a different framework. Thankfully, this framework already exists: SMART goals (an acronym introduced by George T. Doran). Acronyms are great, and SMART is one of the best. Here’s what it stands for:
- S for Specific: The goal needs to be well-defined, like a clear prompt for an AI chatbot. There’s no room for ambiguity. Define what needs to be done and the steps required to achieve it.
- M for Measurable: Goals should be quantifiable. This ensures progress is easy to track and you’ll know when the goal is accomplished.
- A for Achievable: This is a reality check. The goal must be realistic, something you either know you can achieve or believe is within your reach.
- R for Relevant: Goals should align with your values, ideas, and larger aspirations. They need to matter in the context of your “big picture.”
- T for Time-bound: Every goal needs a deadline. Without a timeline, it’s easy to keep postponing indefinitely.
Do you see how this works? SMART goals can be applied to both your projects and personal life. If you establish a reliable way to track them, you can benefit from using this approach in both areas. Reusing effective systems across different parts of life is always a win!
Conclusion
It doesn’t matter if you are planning to build some new habits or maintain existing ones, or you want to accomplish something big, you can reuse techniques that you already use in your projects. If you don’t use it now, I encourage you to try it. It’s much easier to achieve goals when they are numbers and instructions and not abstract things.
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