Universe Goals
One objective per area (Alpha Scholars, MSE, Agro App), each broken into 2 to 5 SMART goals. Objective = broad, qualitative, long-term. Goal = the quantitative specification, with a metric and deadline. See missions and board.
The logic: (1) one objective per area, aiming at the maximum state of completion within the available time; (2) 2–5 SMART goals per objective; (3) in execution, use Lean Six Sigma (eliminate waste, optimize process) and close each task with a DoD checklist.
On the board, each goal becomes an epic (user story) detailed in DoD (Given / When / Then) — see the epics in Alpha Scholars, Agro App and MSE.
How to measure progress
- Goal vs objective — the objective is the cloud-covered mountain (I know where I want to go, I can’t see the detail); SMART goals/OKRs are the trail markers; Lean Six Sigma is the precision GPS (steady step, no deviation, no waste).
- SMART — every goal is Specific · Measurable · Achievable · Relevant · Time-bound (deadline).
- OKRs — Objective (qualitative, inspiring) + Key-Results (measurable) + Initiatives (what to do).
- DoD (Definition of Done) — checklist of requirements that defines when a deliverable is ready.
Lean Six Sigma (summary)
Lean = speed/efficiency (eliminate waste). Six Sigma (σ) = consistency/quality (reduce variability with data). Reaching “Six Sigma” = 6 standard deviations between the process mean and the acceptable error limit.
σ Level Accuracy Defects / million 1σ 30.9% 690,000 (chaos) 3σ 93.3% 66,807 (acceptable for common tasks) 6σ 99.99966% 3.4 (Six Sigma level) DMAIC path: Define · Measure · Analyze · Improve · Control. Links to the objective via CTQ (Critical to Quality): the distance to the objective is only measured when CTQs are found (the numerical thermometer of the goals).
Questions answered
- How many metrics per objective? 2 to 5 SMART goals, each with 1 metric.
- Universal metric? No. Macro = outcome metric (grade, revenue); micro = effort or boolean (done/not done).
- Task too small for a metric? Use boolean; don’t invent an irrelevant metric (analysis paralysis).
Alpha Scholars — Social Science Research Program
Objective: earn the gold medal at the end of the program — Aug 11, 2026.
Assessment: Paper 70% · Participation 10% · Deliverables 10% · Presentation 10%.
Goal 1 — Flawless paper · deadline Jul 07
- S: high-quality Social Science paper, within the word limit, with 10–15 credible academic sources.
- M: 3 rounds of revision (self-review against criteria + Mentor/Advisor feedback + peer review).
- A: achievable if writing and research are distributed throughout Summer 2026.
- R: attacks the heaviest component (70%) — decisive for the gold.
- T: final revised version submitted by Jul 07 (safe margin before the panel).
Goal 2 — All deliverables
- S: complete and submit all tasks, milestones, and intermediate deliverables.
- M: 100% compliance, zero delays.
- R: secures the 10% deliverables through operational discipline.
- T: each deliverable ≥ 24h before the deadline, throughout Summer 2026.
Goal 3 — Active participation
- S: participate in workshops, seminars, and 1:1s with mentor (Lincoln) and team (Ty, Rain).
- M: ≥1 contribution per group session + 100% of individual feedback.
- R: relationship with evaluators (letters, paper refinement) + 10% of the pillar.
- T: weekly, until Aug 11.
Goal 4 — Flawless final presentation · deadline Aug 06
- S: slides in academic standard + oral defense practice for the panel.
- M: ≥4 timed simulations (2 recorded for self-analysis + 2 live for mentors/professors).
- R: secures the final 10% and closes with a high-impact impression.
- T: slides + 4 simulations within 48h before the presentation (Aug 06).
More precise task generation can use the AS Notion backlog (link with coordination).
MSE — Management Science & Engineering (Stanford)
Objective: get into the MS&E major at Stanford with a Full-Ride scholarship.
Assessment (weight in application): Academic 40% · Extracurriculars & Leadership 30% · Essays & Interviews 30%.
Goal 1 — Academic record and scores · deadline Sep 30
- S: finalize the testing strategy (SAT 1500+, focus Math 780+; evaluate DET 120 reinforcement).
- M: hit 1500+ on the SAT; if below, 1 strategic retake (superscore).
- A: achievable given GPA 9.73.
- R: attacks the highest-weight pillar (40%).
- T: official scores ready to send by Sep 30.
Goal 2 — Extracurriculars and MS&E case · deadline Aug 31
- S: document/finalize the project case with Yuri; contact MS&E professors whose research connects with the project.
- M: 1 report/portfolio (problem, solution, ≥2 impact metrics) + review of the 6 mapped professors.
- R: fills the Extracurriculars & Leadership pillar (30%).
- T: by Aug 31 (before the essay peak).
Goal 3 — Essays and Financial Aid · deadline Oct 15
- S: complete essay package (Main Essay + MS&E supplementals) + full-ride scholarship documents.
- M: ≥4 revision rounds (send for review at M60, limit 5) + 100% of forms (CSS Profile/ISFAA) without pending items.
- R: secures the Essays pillar (30%) and substantiates the scholarship need/merit.
- T: application package + forms by Oct 15 (final deadline Nov 1).
Agro App — the product
Objectives: (1) actually solve all the problems the product proposes to address; (2) be recognized by professors at Stanford and other top universities.
Goal 1 — Product validation and real impact · deadline Jul 31 (to confirm with Yuri)
- S: launch the stable WhatsApp chatbot MVP (AI audio transcription + high-priority alerts via call) for a controlled base of producers.
- M: ≥20 active users · satisfaction >95% · −80% in deadline failures due to forgetfulness · 30% of the base converted to subscribers.
- R: fulfills objective 1 and generates empirical metrics for the academic portfolio.
- T: consolidate metrics by Jul 31 (to confirm).
Goal 2 — Management engineering and data modeling · deadline Aug 15 (to confirm with Yuri)
- S: consolidate collection (expenses, routes, inputs) into a structured database + design the route/routine optimization algorithm.
- M: 1 field database + 1 predictive/optimization model (reduction of hidden costs and fuel).
- R: this is the core of MS&E (technology × financial mathematics × operations) → validates the “major fit”.
- T: modeling + documentation by Aug 15 (to confirm).
Goal 3 — Academic recognition · deadline Aug 31 (to confirm with Yuri)
- S: cold outreach focused on MS&E professors whose research converges with the project, using the report/portfolio.
- M: ≥1 qualified response (technical feedback or 15-min Office Hours) from the 6 mapped professors → ≥2 insights for the data architecture and the Supplemental Essays.
- R: fulfills objective 2; puts the name on the radar before the essays.
- T: send contacts by Aug 31 (to confirm).
Assessment is not predefined; it is derived from the project document + agreed parameters (adoption rate, retention/satisfaction, operational effectiveness, commercial validation).