Which planning technique involves setting clear, measurable goals to achieve desired outcomes?

The technique that involves setting clear, measurable goals to achieve desired outcomes is known as SMART Goals. This approach is structured around five specific criteria that goals should meet: they need to be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. This ensures that the goals are not only clear but also realistic and attainable, allowing individuals or organizations to effectively track progress and maintain focus on achieving them.

In the context of management and planning, using SMART Goals helps in creating detailed plans that guide actions toward achieving broader objectives. It transforms vague aspirations into detailed plans, thereby facilitating better performance monitoring and aligning resources effectively.

While SWOT Analysis focuses on identifying Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats related to a strategy, PEST Analysis looks at external factors such as Political, Economic, Social, and Technological influences affecting an organization. Action Planning, on the other hand, refers to the step-by-step process of outlining specific actions needed to achieve goals but does not inherently guarantee that those goals are measurable or time-bound without the SMART framework.