In SMART feedback, which attribute is focused on clearly defining the action, behavior, scenario, or effect?

• A. Measurable
• B. Specific
• C. Attainable
• D. Relevant

Answer: (B)

Specific is all about naming the exact action or behavior, the context in which it happens, and the resulting effect. In feedback, this means describing precisely what the person should do, where and when it should occur, and what outcome you expect to see. That level of clarity makes the request actionable and reduces ambiguity, so the person knows exactly what to change and how to demonstrate it. For example, instead of saying to “improve communication,” you would specify “reply to client emails within 24 hours and share a brief weekly update in the team stand-up.” This approach clearly identifies the behavior, the setting, and the impact. Measurable adds a way to track progress, attainable ensures the goal is realistic, and relevant ties the action to broader objectives; Specific lays the groundwork by precisely defining the requested action and its context.