Definition Achievable vs. Realistic - Differences and Definitions

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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I cannot agree more. Achievable means you have some way to get to that objective, and realistic means the thing you plan, when succeed, will do some help to you and your system.

There are things you can do, but does not help the system. On the other hands there are other super things that you need for the system, but way beyond your capability and budget.

Thus need to consider both while you set up your target.

How about the "A" of SMART stands for action-oriented, which means that goal should involve some action on your part.

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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That is, perhaps, why some authors prefer to call it 'relevant' rather than 'realistic'. Relevant denotes aligned to the Organisation's mission/vision etc.

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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Actually, it is. I have audited with 2 companies who maintained 0 external ppm in cast parts, month after month, with only a rare random exception. Technically not 0 ppm, if there was a random glitch, but averaging 0-1 ppm overall for several years).

Both were automotive suppliers. They felt it was achievable and realistic (necessary to maintain customer satisfaction and cheaper than having complaints). Perhaps we could argue, it would have been preferable to agree with the customer to allow a few defects to control costs, but automotive OE's don't seem to think that way. A lot depends on your customers and what you are able to negotiate with them.

PS: an interesting side note, I mentioned this to a machining company who insisted that 10% incoming casting defects was acceptable. They then talked with their suppliers and quickly reduced their incoming defects to less than 2%.

Re: What is the difference between Achievable and Realistic?

Helmut Jilling said:

[...] PS: an interesting side note, I mentioned this to a machining company who insisted that 10% incoming casting defects was acceptable. They then talked with their suppliers and quickly reduced their incoming defects to less than 2%.

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You trouble maker!!!

Re: What is the difference between Achievable and Realistic?

Chennaiite said:

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.

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If you include "realistic" in your definition of "achievable," you're right, and that's fine. It doesn't matter, though, because SMART is just intended to help people remember how to define objectives, and if there are endless discussions about the relative merits of "achievable" and "realistic," the point has been missed.

Good discussion on the language subtleties On a lesser day I would have said the terms are pretty much the same because of the way I mentally defined realistic. But my Websters Thesaurus lists synonyms rational, pragmatic and sensible.