Should Product Goals Follow SMART Criteria?
While Product Goals should be specific, measurable, and relevant, they do not necessarily need to be achievable or time-bound. The uncertainty of product development makes it more important to review and adapt goals regularly.
Metaphor
Setting Product Goals is like charting a hiking route: you can define the trailhead, mileage, and destination, but you can’t predict the weather or obstacles along the way. Progress comes from adapting as conditions shift.
This is why Product Goals should emphasize clarity and relevance without being shackled to rigid timelines.
Works Consulted
In addition to any sources cited above, the following works informed my thinking:(1)
1.
Flossmann S. Strategic Product Goals: A Guide to Achieving Measurable Results with Your Product [Internet]. scrum.org; [cited 2025 Sep 1]. Available from: https://www.scrum.org/resources/blog/strategic-product-goals-guide-achieving-measurable-results-your-product