2019 Direct Services Grant Program NOFA 2019 Direct Services NOFA | Page 25

ATTACHMENT B
SMART OUTCOMES
After you select a funding category and eligible activity (page 4), you will be asked to develop a program-related
SMART outcome that you plan to achieve within the 12-month grant period, on your application. For each program-
related SMART outcome, you will need to identify the indicators and data collection methods, in the evaluation plan,
you will use to evaluate the progress of the outcome from baseline. Your program-related SMART outcomes in the
application should be the same as your short-term outcomes listed in your logic model (Attachment B).
Developing SMART Outcomes
One way to develop well-written outcomes is to use the SMART approach. Developing specific, measurable
outcomes requires time, orderly thinking, and a clear picture of the results expected from program activities. The
more specific your outcomes are, the easier it will be to demonstrate success.
SMART stands for
S pecific
M easurable
A ttainable/Achievable
R elevant
T ime Bound
Specific - What exactly are we going to do for whom? The “specific” part of an outcome tells us what will change for
whom in concrete terms. It identifies the population or setting, and specific actions that will result. In some cases it
is appropriate to indicate how the change will be implemented (e.g., through training). Coordinate, partner, support,
facilitate, and enhance are not good verbs to use in outcomes because they are vague and difficult to measure. On
the other hand, verbs such as provide, train, publish, increase, decrease, schedule or purchase indicate clearly what
will be done.
Measurable - Is it quantifiable and can WE measure it? Measurable implies the ability to count or otherwise quantify
an activity or its results. It also means that the source of and mechanism for collecting measurement data are
identified, and that collection of these data is feasible for your program or partners.
A baseline measurement is required to document change (e.g., to measure percentage increase or decrease). If the
baseline is unknown or will be measured as a first activity step, that is indicated in the outcome as, “baseline to be
determined using XXX database, 20XX.” The data source you are using and the year the baseline was obtained is
always specified in your outcome statement. If a specific measurement instrument is used, you might want to
incorporate its use into the outcome.
Another important consideration is whether change can be measured in a meaningful and interpretable way given
the accuracy of the measurement tool and method.
Attainable/Achievable - Can we get it done in the proposed time frame with the resources and support we have
available? The outcome must be feasible with the available resources, appropriately limited in scope, and within the
program’s control and influence.
Sometimes, specifying an expected level of change can be tricky. To help identify a target, talk with an
epidemiologist, look at historical trends, read reports or articles published in the scientific or other literature, look
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