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How to Make Rocks SMART Using Milestones
How to Make Rocks SMART Using Milestones

Make Rocks SMART with detailed descriptions and add Milestones to track progress across customized timelines.

Christine Watts avatar
Written by Christine Watts
Updated over a week ago

Terms that appear with an asterisk (*) are configurable and may differ from your Ninety. Explore our glossary of terms.

Building Rocks

When building a Rock*, be as detailed as possible to make expectations clear for completing the goal by the end of the quarter. We recommend adding Milestones* and making the Rock* SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) whenever possible.

Milestones

A Milestone* breaks down a Rock* into smaller pieces with actionable due dates. Each Milestone* can be delegated to an individual or worked on as a team.

How to add Milestones* to a Rock*:

  1. Click Rocks* from the sidebar.

  2. Select the Rock* from the dashboard.

  3. Press the + button next to Milestones*.

  4. Add a title, due date, and description.

    1. The due date could be the same as the Rock* or earlier as an incremental step towards the larger goal.

  5. Click Add.

Once a Rock* has active Milestones*, edit them as you progress, and be sure to save them once finished.

Turn Milestones into To-Dos

Having an accurate due date for Milestones* is essential. Seven days before their due date, Milestones* automatically become To-Dos* unless they are already marked off as completed.

  1. Open a Rock*

  2. See all Milestones* on the ride-side of your window

  3. Click the checkbox to the right of the Milestone* name to create a To-Do*

As a To-Do*, the Milestone* can receive a new due date and an update to its description. The To-Do* defaults to one for the team, but it can be switched to a personal To-Do* with the on-screen toggle.

Our system keeps the To-Do* and Milestone* connected. So once the To-Do* is completed, it will also be completed as a Milestone.

SMART

When creating Rocks*, make them SMART. Feel free to copy and paste these questions below into any Rock's* description.

Specific — What specifically will be achieved?
Measurable — How will the completion of this goal be measured?
Achievable — Is this goal achievable by this individual or team?
Relevant — How relevant is this goal to the company's overall vision?
Time-Bound — What are the key dates, and what is the final date for this goal?

Reminder: Team members can add additional details as Milestones* to each Rock*.

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