Setting Objectives and Indicators in an Adaptive Management Framework

Name: Setting Objectives and Indicators in an Adaptive Management Framework

Reference: Conservation Measures Partnership (2013) Open Standards for the Practice of Conservation. Version 3.0. http://cmp-openstandards.org/.

Conservation planning step(s) when this would be used: This would be used in the Set Goals and Objectives step.

Description of tool use: Using a "theory of change" or “results chain” approach, planners formally consider the route through which potential management interventions will influence conservation outcomes. Goals and objectives are tied to these management intervention points in the system. This is designed for use as part of the Conservation Measures Partnership framework for planning, which is supported by the Miradi software tool.

Experience and expertise required to use the tool: The principles involved are intuitive and easily grasped. Specialist expertise is not required though some prior experience is of benefit.  Setting realistic objectives for each step in the theory of change may require additional research or input from experts.  

Data requirements: The tool can be used in data poor situations. Quantitative objectives may require additional data collection for refinement and accuracy.  

Cost: The tool itself can be applied at no cost, though if used in conjunction with the Miradi software a cost may be incurred and some prior training required.

Strengths and weaknesses, when to use and interpret with caution:  The strengths of this tool include the ability to set both short and long term impact assessment indicators and a framework for evaluating how conservation actions are leading to success. They are associated with clear SMART indicators and provide a consistent framework for short and long term monitoring.

A weakness of the tools will be associated with the availability of data that are aligned with specific objectives and indictors. The accuracy of setting objectives will be dependent on the experts available as well as available knowledge on how conservation actions will influence those objectives as well as how long that impact may take.

Case study: Hundreds of case studies that use the objectives setting process can be found at https://www.miradishare.org and at http://www.rare.org/places/#.VG-Xx8n4Ksw (multiple languages/organizations available).

Example:  Salmon River Conservation Area, USA https://www.miradishare.org/reports/goalObjective/tnc-thenatureconserva-2014-00009/

 

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Contributor(s): Amielle DeWan        
Affiliation:  IFAW
Email: adewan@ifaw.org                
Date:  7 February 2011