Definition Achievable vs. Realistic - Differences and Definitions

Re: What is the difference between Achievable and Realistic?

I guess "Achievable" is quite understandable. As far as "Realistic" is concerned, I see it this way.

Any "Achievable" target is "Realistic", provided you have an answer for the question of "How to ahchieve".
I thought "SMART" has a logical sequence.
S - Specify or Define clearly the target.
M - Make it "Measurable"
A - Consider what you can "Achieve" under the circumstance
R - Decide How you will "Achieve"
T - Give a "Time frame"

Re: What is the difference between Achievable and Realistic?

bpugazhendhi said:

All the above discussions in one way or other suggest that 'realistic' and 'achievable' are two different qualities and that many a times they cannot coexist. In that case how one can ensure that one's objectives or goals are both realistic and achievable at the same time? Does that mean that one should choose only such objectives or goals that are both realistic and achievable? Ofcourse such a course sounds logical and practical!

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Actually they always coexist. In my opinion, Realistic is a subset of Achievable. For example, let's say that you decided to start running for ... health reasons. Your Achivable goal is to run 5 miles (8 km) a day. Is this Realistic the first day? In my shape, NOT! However, setting a goal to run 1 mile (1.6KM) in the first week could be a very Realistic goal. Eventually you'll work your way up to the Achievable (long term), but you have to start with what's Realistic (shorter term). I hope this makes more sense.

In terms of SMART or any other version of it, you have to set your goals in terms of WHO (responsibility) does WHAT (task) by WHEN (time frame) and HOW WELL (performance). For example: I will run 1 mile by the end of the week without stoping.

Re: What is the difference between Achievable and Realistic?

DrM2u said:

Actually they always coexist. In my opinion, Realistic is a subset of Achievable. For example, let's say that you decided to start running for ... health reasons. Your Achivable goal is to run 5 miles (8 km) a day. Is this Realistic the first day? In my shape, NOT! However, setting a goal to run 1 mile (1.6KM) in the first week could be a very Realistic goal. Eventually you'll work your way up to the Achievable (long term), but you have to start with what's Realistic (shorter term). I hope this makes more sense.

In terms of SMART or any other version of it, you have to set your goals in terms of WHO (responsibility) does WHAT (task) by WHEN (time frame) and HOW WELL (performance). For example: I will run 1 mile by the end of the week without stoping.

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The "R" in SMART is there because it completes a useful acronym. A better word would be "worthwhile," but that would make the acronym "SMAWT," which sounds like Elmer Fudd. Nonetheless, if you replace "realistic" with "worthwhile," the idea should be clear. A thing might be achievable but not worth doing.

Re: What is the difference between Achievable and Realistic?

Jim Wynne said:

The "R" in SMART is there because it completes a useful acronym. A better word would be "worthwhile," but that would make the acronym "SMAWT," which sounds like Elmer Fudd. Nonetheless, if you replace "realistic" with "worthwhile," the idea should be clear. A thing might be achievable but not worth doing.

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Some of the goals, objectives and associated measurements that I've seen looked like they were developed by Elmer Fudd's relatives...

Stijloor.

Re: What is the difference between Achievable and Realistic?

Jim Wynne said:

A thing might be achievable but not worth doing.

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I am unable to imagine something "achievable", but not Worth doing. Probably, some examples would help.

Re: What is the difference between Achievable and Realistic?

Chennaiite said:

I am unable to imagine something "achievable", but not Worth doing. Probably, some examples would help.

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How about doing something that can be accomplished (achievable), but does not make business sense.

Stijloor.

Re: What is the difference between Achievable and Realistic?

Chennaiite said:

I am unable to imagine something "achievable", but not Worth doing. Probably, some examples would help.

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It all depends on how you define "improvement," and the concept of optimization--making something as good as possible within known limitations. You might have a production process that results in predictable yields, and increasing the yield would require expense in excess of what the additional yield is worth. If you do something that increases yield but causes you to lose money, you haven't improved anything. An increased yield is achievable, but not worthwhile (or realistic).

Re: What is the difference between Achievable and Realistic?

Chennaiite said:

I am unable to imagine something "achievable", but not Worth doing. Probably, some examples would help.

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Drs. Deming and Ackoff's writings were full of such examples of one entity thinking they were improving something, but to the detriment of the whole.

For example, the purchasing department at a hospital decided to start buying less expensive catheters that were also sharper than the ones previously used. Saved money, and you'd think have a better tool. But they didn't inform the doctors, and incidents of cuts and lacerations caused to both doctors and patients went up considerably. An overall loss for the hospital.

Re: What is the difference between Achievable and Realistic?

Jim Wynne said:

If you do something that increases yield but causes you to lose money, you haven't improved anything. An increased yield is achievable, but not worthwhile (or realistic).

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I think the question of Feasibility to achieve something interms of Cost, Quality, technology, etc etc is in-built, when we say something is "achievable". If not, everything is achievable. Correct me, if I am wrong.
Or in other words, 0 ppm for Customer rejection for Casting parts is not achievable or not realistic.

Re: What is the difference between Achievable and Realistic?

Chennaiite said:

Or in other words, 0 ppm for Customer rejection for Casting parts is not achievable or not realistic.

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0 ppm for Customer Rejection is achievable. Depends upon how much you want to pay for 100% inspection, especially if you want to eliminate 'operator error' (aka 'inspector error') by using methods such as automated vision inspection systems.

0 ppm for a casting process is probably not achievable, but it depends upon volume. The lower the volume, the more 'personal' the process will be (example: A local jeweler who casts and produces a small number of rings to a customer's requirements (vs. outsourcing)). As the volume decreases, the probability of 0 ppm of the process increases.