SMART Goals - Guidelines & Examples - A Support Tool for the Continuing Competency Program (CCP) for Opticians

Sep 12, 2026

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SMART Goals: Guidelines & Examples provides structured support for opticians participating in the Continuing Competency Program (CCP). The guide explains the SMART framework—Specific, Measurable, Action-oriented, Realistic, and Time-bound—and how it helps create focused, achievable learning goals. It outlines a step-by-step approach for turning selected competencies into SMART goals, includes practical guidance and questions to consider, and contrasts SMART goals with general goals. The document also provides example formats and tools for writing and measuring progress.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryPresentations

FormatPDF

Pages15

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

SMART Goal Setting

Guidelines

1. What is a SMART goal?

2. How do I create a SMART goal?

Examples

1. SMART goal vs. General goal

2. Competency-based examples

Tools

1. Other formulas/formats for writing SMART goals

2. Action words

3. Measurement methods

4. Practice worksheet

SMART Goals: Guidelines & Examples A Support Tool for the Continuing Competency Program (CCP) for Opticians The College of Health and Care Professionals of BC was created on June 28, 2024 through the amalgamation of seven health regulatory colleges: • College of Dietitians of British Columbia • College of Occupational Therapists of British Columbia • College of Optometrists of British Columbia • College of Opticians of British Columbia • College of Physical Therapists of British Columbia • College of Psychologists of British Columbia • College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of British Columbia All current requirements for standards of clinical and ethical practice issued by the seven colleges remain in place upon amalgamation. This document was created by the College of Opticians of British Columbia and will be updated to reflect the amalgamation. Table of Contents SMART Goal Setting 4 Guidelines 4 1. What is a SMART goal? 4 2. How do I create a SMART goal? 5 Examples 6 1. SMART goal vs. General goal 6 2. Competency-based examples 7 Example 1 7 Example 2 8 Example 3 9 Example 4 10 3. Other examples of SMART goals 11 Tools 12 1. Other formulas/formats for writing SMART goals 12 2. Action words 13 3. Measurement methods 14 4. Practice worksheet 14 Photo Credit: jcomp / Freepik (cover), SushmitaJain / Unsplash (page 5), 85Fifteen / Unsplash (page 8), ijeab / Freepik (page 11), martinlutze-fotografie (page 15) SMART Goal Setting A huge part of the new Continuing Competency Program (CCP) is setting appropriate and achievable learning goals for yourself. Goal setting will be different for everyone, but it always provides focus and direction, no matter what you are trying to accomplish. To assist you in creating goals, the College of Opticians of BC (COBC) has chosen the framework of SMART goals. SMART goal setting is a way to create structured and attainable goals. For more information on the learning goal portion of the CCP, please review the “Continuing Competency Program: Information Guide.” Guidelines 1. What is a SMART goal? SMART is an acronym that stands for: Specific – clearly define what you are trying to achieve Measurable – criteria to know when you have achieved goal Action-oriented – action to achieve goal is clear Realistic – make sure it is attainable and reasonable Time-bound – set a definite deadline The aim of SMART goals is to create realistic goals that produce an outcome. Often when setting goals, people will think big and get discouraged if they don’t meet their goals. While the COBC encourages our registrants to think big, we also want to ensure registrants are creating achievable goals with practical results. The process isnot meant to be daunting or overwhelming. Goal setting will be different for everyone, but it always provides focus and direction, no matter what you are trying to accomplish. 4 | Continuing Competency Program (CCP) 2. How do I create a SMART goal? Start by thinking about your practice: What do you want to improve on, and how can you get there? You will be given some suggested competencies to work on from your assessment results, so that will be your starting point. Once you have chosen a competency to work on, consider the following questions to help you turn it into a SMART goal: Tips for setting SMART goals and action plan learning activities: | Your goal should be: | Some guidance: | Questions to think about: | | --- | --- | --- | | Specific | Create learning goals and action plans that are specific and clear. Make them detailed enough to clearly define what you are trying to achieve. | • What do I want to achieve?
• What specific knowledge/ skill do I need? | | Measurable | Establish tangible criteria so that you will know when you have achieved each goal and action plan strategy. | • How much?
• How often?
• How many?
• How will I demonstrate that I have accomp

FAQs

What does SMART stand for in this document?

SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Action-oriented, Realistic, and Time-bound. Each element supports building goals that are clear, trackable, achievable, and deadline-driven.

How do you create a SMART goal using the CCP competencies?

Start with practice needs and use assessment results to select a competency. Then convert it into a SMART goal by answering targeted questions for specificity, measurable criteria, actions, realism (including time and cost), and deadlines.

What is the difference between a SMART goal and a general goal?

A general goal is often broad or vague and lacks clear criteria, while a SMART goal defines what to achieve, how progress will be measured, the actions to take, why it is realistic, and when it will be completed.

Sep 12, 2026

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