A unit of Lasting Forests Sustained forests; sustained profits evolving since March 30, 1999

Table 1. A guide for evaluating the wording and structure of objectives

It is important, worthy of specific consideration, and non-trivial. It is consistent with other objectives (e.g., a Type 5 objective is consistent with Type 1) It goes beyond preventing deleterious effects. There is believed to be one or more ways of achieving it at some level. It attains at a level beyond presently known capabilities of use or benefit (realistic but suggesting a challenge). It has no hidden objective. It tends to be long-term. Agreement on acceptable units of measure of attainment (at least tentative indices) can be reached. Progress toward it can be measured. It expresses as a production function what to obtain or to retain. It is flexible, allowing for adjustment to new directions or conditions. It contains no methodology (i.e., statements of how something may or will be achieved). It cannot be combined with another objective on the basis of the participant. It has been written for the proper audience. It can be understood to at least three people's mutual satisfaction. It is grammatically correct, often starting with the word "To" followed by an action or accomplishment verb It is brief.

This Web site is maintained by R. H. Giles, Jr.
Last revision January 17, 2000.