Which of the following is a SMART objective example?

• A. Train as needed.
• B. Maintain skills.
• C. Increase team cross-training by 20% within three months.
• D. Improve performance this year.

Answer: (C)

A SMART objective sets a clear target you can measure, with a deadline and a direct link to what you’re trying to improve. The statement “increase team cross-training by 20% within three months” does that exactly: it specifies what you want to achieve (more cross-training across the team), by how much (20%), and when (within three months). That combination makes progress observable, progress can be tracked, and you have a concrete deadline to work toward, which helps with planning and accountability. It also supports relevance to team readiness because broader cross-training directly enhances performance and versatility.

The other options fall short because they’re too vague to measure or time-bound. “Train as needed” doesn’t define what to train or by when. “Maintain skills” lacks what skills and by what standard you’ll maintain them. “Improve performance this year” gives a year as a horizon but no specific target or metric to judge success.