Last updated: 1 April 2014

What is the Planning SMART Guide?

The online Planning SMART Guide provides an introduction and overview of the path forward the Corps of Engineers is taking to effectively execute and deliver feasibility studies. The underlying concepts, including the approaches, processes, and milestones of SMART feasibility studies have been developed and applied to individual feasibility studies and the national planning pilots (2011 – 2012).

This Planning SMART Guide provides an overview of the procedures, tips, techniques and tools to implement feasibility studies in a more effective manner and consistent with the Deputy Commanding General of Civil and Emergency Operation’s 8 February 2012 Memo (also known as the 3x3x3 memo). The Guide is not a replacement for ER 1105-2-100, the Planning Guidance Notebook, but rather provides examples, tips, best practices, and lessons learned from other feasibility studies applying the SMART Planning principles and process in their studies.

The SMART Guide resides on the website of the Planning Community Toolbox for a reason – it is not a static document to be printed and sit on a shelf. It is a living and evolving document, changing as studies implement both new start feasibility studies and apply the principles of SMART planning to ongoing feasibility studies as they move forward to completion. Updates and additional information will be added to the Guide based on the experiences and recommendations of study teams, and on frequently asked questions and feedback.