We hear smart phone, meters, grids, systems all around us and we can be driven to distraction hearing this and not knowing what is really means. Our frustration includes that dictionaries do little to help us understand what SMART really means in the context of today. The context being SMART is more about what is deliverable through clever two-way communication.  But does that mean workable one-way communication is dumb?

Research suggests the first known uses of the term occur in the November 1981 issue of Management Review by George T. Doran (source Wikipedia). Now if we look at the objectives given by our source we find: “SMART / SMARTER is a mnemonic to guide people when they set objectives, often called Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), for example for project management, employee performance management and personal development. The letters broadly conform to the words Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Timely with the addition of the words Evaluate and Reevaluate used in more recent literature.”

However, when we talk in terms of technology we note: “S.M.A.R.T. (Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology; often written as SMART) is a monitoring system for computer hard disk drives to detect and report on various indicators of reliability, in the hope of anticipating failures. When a failure is anticipated by S.M.A.R.T., the user may choose to replace the drive to avoid unexpected outage and data loss. The manufacturer may be able to use the S.M.A.R.T. data to discover where faults lie and prevent them from recurring in future drive designs.”

Then for our energy supply we note: In addition to growing concerns about the electricity grid’s robustness and reliability, the grid was designed and built with one basic objective in mind – keeping the lights on. Meanwhile, other concerns have become increasingly important in the political and public dialogue about the status and future of the electrical grid, particularly: Energy efficiency
- Environmental impacts
- Consumer choice.

Worldwide governments and utilities are investing in new technologies in order to keep up with demand for energy and build a grid that: Runs more efficiently
- Generates higher-quality power
- Resists attack
- Is self-healing
- Enables consumers to manage their energy use better and reduce costs
- Integrates decentralised generation (e.g., bioenergy, renewable energy. Gas fired), and storage (such as fuel cell) technologies.

In addition to meeting the need for reliable, high-quality power, these technologies are intended to meet the economy’s energy needs as efficiently as possible, optimizing energy consumption and related environmental impacts such as greenhouse gas emissions.

CO2Land org notes these technologies are often referred to generically as smart grid technologies. In this usage of Smart, the SMART grid describes a set of related technologies, rather than specific technology with a generally agreed-on specification.

Continuing on with SMART technologies these fall into five main areas:

1. Two-way integrated communications: allow for real-time control, information and data exchange to optimize system reliability, asset utilization, and security.
2. Sensing and measurement: evaluate congestion and grid stability, congestion and grid stability, monitor equipment health, detect energy theft, and support control strategies support.
3. Advanced components: flexible alternating current transmission system devices, high-voltage direct current, first- and second-generation superconducting wire, high-temperature superconducting cable, distributed energy generation and storage devices, composite conductors, and “intelligent” appliances.
4. Advanced control that enables rapid diagnosis of and precise solutions to specific grid disruptions or outages.
5. Improved interfaces and decision support that reduce complexity so that operators and managers have tools to effectively and efficiently operate a grid with increasing numbers of variables.

Therefore it could be said Smart Grid is a two way communication system fundamentally concerned with the long-term sustainability of the system.

Then if we go back to SMART project management:

There is no point communicating if you do not want an effect. The effect you want to achieve must start with effective communication giving or developing a clear picture of what you want to achieve. At this point you could be evolving dumb communication as suggested at the start of this discussion – a one-way exchange keeping people informed and being supportive. The one-way communication could be reports, a newsletter or other required proforma. It may be elegant, stylish and easy to read or it might be rubbish – A scruffy report leaves the impression of a lack of control or lack of concern for what is good for the result.

To be smart in this context the communication must achieve change. That is the desired change and several key elements need to be incorporated. To start with, the most important element is:

The information needs to be Specific, Measureable, Achievable, Realistic and Time framed – SMART.

The second element is illustrate the reason why it is important TO YOU. If your audience does not believe you are feeling the need how can you expect them to understand the need.

The last element is to get mutuality. A communication that recognises the receiver can expect something of value for them too. Sometimes called WIIFM – What’s in it for me. It is said SMART people understanding WIIFM trumps altruism 8 out of 10 times.

Of course it must be ethic mutuality, and there is no point in communicating with someone if you don’t want change or an effect.

What does the formal classical description of smart refer to:

“smart  (smärt)

adj. smart·er, smart·est (the freedictionary)

1.

a. Characterized by sharp quick thought; bright. See Synonyms at intelligent.

b. Amusingly clever; witty: a smart quip; a lively, smart conversation.

c. Impertinent; insolent: That’s enough of your smart talk.

2. Energetic or quick in movement: a smart pace.

3. Canny and shrewd in dealings with others: a smart negotiator.

4. Fashionable; elegant: a smart suit; a smart restaurant; the smart set. See Synonyms at fashionable.

5.

a. Capable of making adjustments that resemble human decisions, especially in response to changing circumstances: smart missiles.

b. Manufactured to regulate the amount of light transmitted in response to varying light conditions or to an electronic sensor or control unit: smart windows.

6. New England & Southern U.S. Accomplished; talented: He’s a right smart ball player.

intr.v. smart·ed, smart·ing, smarts

1.

a. To cause a sharp, usually superficial, stinging pain: The slap delivered to my face smarted.

b. To be the location of such a pain: The incision on my leg smarts.

c. To feel such a pain.

2. To suffer acutely, as from mental distress, wounded feelings, or remorse: “No creature smarts so little as a fool” (Alexander Pope).

3. To suffer or pay a heavy penalty.

n.

1. Sharp mental or physical pain. See Synonyms at pain.

2. smarts Slang Intelligence; expertise: a reporter with a lot of smarts.

Are their other SMART’s out there? Check out this list of acronym, is there more?

Acronym	Definition
SMART	Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology (hard drive feature; warns of problems before total failure)
SMART	Self-Management and Recovery Training
SMART	Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation
SMART	Start Making A Reader Today
SMART	Simple Modular Architecture Research Tool
SMART	Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation
SMART	Small Missions for Advanced Research in Technology (NASA)
SMART	Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel (project; Malaysia)
SMarT	Save More Tomorrow
SMART	Simple Multi-Attribute Rating Technique (software development)
SMART	Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force
SMART	Stress Management And Relaxation Training
SMART	Swatch Mercedes Art (Daimler-Benz automobile model)
SMART	Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending,. Registering, and Tracking (US Department of Justice)
SMART	Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Timely
SMART	System to Manage Accutane Related Teratogenicity
SMART	Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-Bound
SMART	Simulation and Modeling for Acquisition, Requirements and Training
SMART	Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles Association
SMART	Special Medical Augmentation Response Team (US Army MEDCOM)
SMART	South Metro Area Rapid Transit
SMART	Speed Monitoring Awareness Radar Trailer
SMART	Satellite Mutual Aid Radio Talkgroup
SMART	Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Tangible
SMART	State Messaging and Archive Retrieval Toolset (US State Department)
SMART	Somatic Mutation and Recombination Test
SMART	Save Money and Reduce Taxes
SMART	Systemwide Mental Assessment Response Team (Los Angeles Police Department)
SMART	Sustainable Model for Arctic Regional Tourism
SMART	Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team
SMART	Special Military Active-Retired Travel Club
SMART	Strategic Marketing and Research Techniques
SMART	Sonoma-Marin Area Rapid Transit (California Bay Area)
SMART	System Metric and Reporting Tool
SMART	Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Relevant, and Timely (process metrics)
SMART	Soundly Made, Accountable, Reasonable, and Thrifty
SMART	Southern Modified Auto Racing Teams
SMART	State of Missouri Alcohol Responsibility Training
SMART	Smart Motorcyclists Attend Rider Training
SMaRT	Sunnyvale Materials Recovery and Transfer Station (Sunnyvale, California)
SMART	Somatotrophics, Memory, and Aging Research Trial (clinical trial)
SMART	System of Measurement And Reporting for Technologies (Canada)
SMART	Surface Mining Association for Research and Technology
SMART	Shared Many-To-Many ATM Reservations
SMART	Supply Maintenance Aviation Re-Engineering Team (Links maintenance and supply chains)
SMART	Self-Measurement for the Assessment of the Response to Trandolapril
SMART	Specific, Measurable, Appropriate, Realistic, Time-Bound
SMART	Simple Maintenance of Arts
SMART	Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Results-oriented, Time-based
SMART	Sun Metro Area Rapid Transit
SMART	Standard Modular Avionics Repair and Test (software)
SMART	Statistical Methodology Analysis Reporting Technique (performance monitoring model)
SMART	Senior Medication Awareness and Training
SMART	Sunset Marketing and Revitalization Team (Rail advocacy group)
SMART	SCSI Managed Array Technology (Compaq Smart Controller)
SMART	Sailor/Marine American Council of Education Registry Transcript
SMART	Students Making A Right Turn
SMART	Securities Market Automated Regulated Trading Architecture
SMART	Supportability Management Assessment Report Tool
SMART	Sichang Marine Science Research and Training Station
SMART	Safety and Mission Assurance Review Team
SMART	Secure Messaging And Routing Terminal
SMART	Structural Maintenance And Repair Team
SMART	Stockton Metropolitan Transit District
SMART	System Monitoring and Remote Tuning
SMART	Susceptibility Model Assessment with Range Test
SMART	Simulation and Modeling Anchored in Real-World Testing
SMART	Sequential Modular Architecture for Robotics and Teleoperation (Sandia Labs)
SMART	System to Motivate and Reward Teachers
SMART	School Management And Record Tracking
SMART	Shop Floor Modeling, Analysis, and Reporting Tool
SMART	Service de Mesure et d’Analyse de La Radioactivité et des Éléments Tracés (French: Service Measurement and Analysis of Radioactivity and Trace Elements)
SMART	Sales Marketing and Real Technologies Pty Ltd (Melbourne, Australia)
SMART	Stockpile Materials Requirement Tabulator
SMART	Solid Modeling Aerospace Research Tool
SMART	Strategies for Motivating and Rewarding Teachers (Houston, Texas)
SMART	Shipboard Modular Arrangement Reconfiguration Technology
SMART	Southern Maine Alternative to Residential Treatment
SMART	Special Medical Augmentation Reaction Team (US Army, Medical Command)
SMArt	Sensor-Fuzed Munitions for Artillery
SMART	Specific, Motivating, Achievable, Rewarding, and Tactical
SMART	Service Management and Resource Tool (Covad)
SMART	Short Maturity Analytic and Reporting Tool
SMART	Small Motor Aerospace Technology
SMART	Stress-Marginality and Accelerated-Reliability Testing
SMART	Submarine Message Automated Routing Terminal
SMART	Stock Management And Replenishment Tracking (B&Q)
SMART	Supply Maintenance Assessment Review Team
SMART	Space Mission Assessment for Reliability and Tactics
SMART	Sensors Mounted As Roving Threads
SMART	Student Managed Academic Resource Time
SMART	Signaal Multibeam Acquisition Radar for Tracking (Dutch naval radar)
SMART	Synthetic Multiple Aperture Radar Technology
SMART	Sustainable Multi Species Agricultural Resource User Trial
SMART	Stimulated Martensite-Austenite Reverse Transformation
SMART	Stereoscopic Mapping and Rescaling Technology
SMART	Super Music Action Ready Team (cartoons)
SMART	Systems Management Analysis, Research & Test
SMART	Service Management Analysis and Reporting Tool (Sprint)
SMART	Shipboard Multipurpose Analysis and Reduction Tool
SMART	Scalable Multi-Priority Allocation of Resources and Traffic (Newbridge)
SMART	Soldiers Manual, Army Training
SMART	Simulation and Modeling Assistant for Research and Training
SMART	Simulation Model for Allocation of Resources for Training
SMART	Skilled Motor Vehicle and Rider Training
SMART	Ship’s Material Assessment and Readiness Testing
SMART	System for the Management of Rejected Transactions
SMART	Supply Management Army Retrieval Technique
SMART	Standard Multiple Application Regulation Topology
SMART	Submarine Modernization and Alterations Requirements Tool
SMART	Swinger and Magnetic Analyzer with a Rotator and Twister
SMART	Special-emphasis Material Action & Reporting Technique
SMART	System Management & Allocation of Resources Technique
SMART	Satellite Maintenance And Repair Techniques
SMART	Southeast Michigan Astrologers’ Round Table
SMART	Structures et Marché Agricoles, Ressources et Territoires (French: Agricultural and Market Structure, Resources and Territories)
SMART	Southeast Michigan Area Rapid Transit (Metro Detroit public transit system)
SMART	National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (federal grant)
SMART	Security Management Architecture (Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.)
SMART	Simple, Manageable, Achievable, Realistic, Timely
SMART	Service Maîtrise des Risques au Travail (French: Service Risk Management at Work; Electricité de France)

Are you smart enough yet? If I was dumb I might say it is ART (attainable, result orientated and Targeted).  Because it is simply then a rating or action to occur if, rather than IF, THEN, ELSE!