Smart, Pure, and Clear – The New Objectives?

S – Specific, M – Measurable, A – Attainable, R – Relevant and T – Time-based. This approach was developed to add focus to the end goal of a change initiative, and SMART ensures that objectives are developed so they are succinct and those involved in change know what they are striving for.

Nowadays, we are seeing the rise of new types of objectives – those that need to be PURE and CLEAR.

P – Pure, U – Understood, R – Relevant, and E – Ethical has a keen eye focused on the impact on the wider community or society. Making objectives PURE tells others that you are making this change for the right reasons and encourages trust from those impacted by the end result.

C – Challenging, L – Legal, E – Environmentally Sound, A – Agreed, and R– Recorded can be used for larger initiatives that require the legal and environmental impacts to be considered, as well as the beneficial change that is being sought that challenges the status quo.

Objectives & Key Results (OKRs) are utilized to support the realization of benefits, by borrowing some of the principles of Agile such as continuous improvement, and the concept of timeboxes.

The objectives in OKRs need to consider the SMART, PURE, and CLEAR definitions to ascertain the expected and most likely results. Giving way to better conversations, useful trusted feedback, and empowering teams through recognition.

No.

As with defining OKRs, elements of each objective definition will exist as they cross over. But maybe, if you look at your organizational objectives and values, it may be that the standard your PMO has been using as best practice needs a bit of a re-brand to make objectives mirror the culture that your organization is working within or towards.

A key consideration for those in Leadership positions is Coaching. As one of the fastest growing styles of leadership as organizations to adapt to their evolving workforce, their expectations, and the technological (and social) changes that are affecting the way we work, learning these skills will become imperative.

A fundamental principle of coaching is to help individuals define their goals. These objective definitions can all be utilized to enable conversations that help individuals to develop personally, and professionally.

• Explore our OKR Management App a Microsoft-based tool that also acts as a Viva Goals (retiring December 2025) alternative.
• Contact us about a OKR consultancy & workshops to build capability across your teams.