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ACCA Applied Knowledge · Business and Technology · Competence frameworks and personal development

A manager sets an objective for her team member: 'Reduce month-end close time from 8 working days to 6 working days by 31 March.' Which SMART element is most clearly demonstrated by the phrase 'from 8 to 6 working days'?

The phrase demonstrates the Measurable element, because it quantifies progress with a starting point of 8 days and a target of 6. The deadline of 31 March is what makes the objective time-bound, so that is a separate element.

  1. AMeasurableCorrect
  2. BRelevant
  3. CSpecific only
  4. DTime-bound

Explanation

Stating the starting and target number of days gives a quantified measure of success. The date 31 March is the time-bound element, not the days. 'Specific only' is wrong because the phrase gives a quantitative yardstick, which is measurability.

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