Writing SMART objectives for natural resource and environmental management
Abstract In natural resource and environmental management, well‐written objectives are critical for effective decision‐making and the achievement of desired outcomes. This article aims to improve practitioners' ability to identify and write SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Tim...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2024-01-01
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| Series: | Ecological Solutions and Evidence |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/2688-8319.12313 |
| _version_ | 1797234807575412736 |
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| author | Caleb A. Aldridge Michael E. Colvin |
| author_facet | Caleb A. Aldridge Michael E. Colvin |
| author_sort | Caleb A. Aldridge |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract In natural resource and environmental management, well‐written objectives are critical for effective decision‐making and the achievement of desired outcomes. This article aims to improve practitioners' ability to identify and write SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time‐bound) objectives for natural resource and environmental management. We differentiate between research and management objectives, define each SMART criterion, and introduce a template to help write management objectives. We demonstrate the use of the SMART management objectives template with a hypothetical example and two recent applications. The template simplifies the process of writing SMART management objectives. It is applicable to popular management frameworks like management by objectives and structured decision making. The implementation of SMART criteria and the provided template can lead to better outcomes in natural resource and environmental management, benefiting current and future generations. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T16:37:56Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-03f9f19a25e14819b138cf1bad230c3b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2688-8319 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T16:37:56Z |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Ecological Solutions and Evidence |
| spelling | doaj.art-03f9f19a25e14819b138cf1bad230c3b2024-03-29T11:56:34ZengWileyEcological Solutions and Evidence2688-83192024-01-0151n/an/a10.1002/2688-8319.12313Writing SMART objectives for natural resource and environmental managementCaleb A. Aldridge0Michael E. Colvin1U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Lower Mississippi River Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office Tupelo Mississippi USAU.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center Columbia Missouri USAAbstract In natural resource and environmental management, well‐written objectives are critical for effective decision‐making and the achievement of desired outcomes. This article aims to improve practitioners' ability to identify and write SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time‐bound) objectives for natural resource and environmental management. We differentiate between research and management objectives, define each SMART criterion, and introduce a template to help write management objectives. We demonstrate the use of the SMART management objectives template with a hypothetical example and two recent applications. The template simplifies the process of writing SMART management objectives. It is applicable to popular management frameworks like management by objectives and structured decision making. The implementation of SMART criteria and the provided template can lead to better outcomes in natural resource and environmental management, benefiting current and future generations.https://doi.org/10.1002/2688-8319.12313conservation planningdecision‐making processenvironmental planningenvironmental quality managementnatural resource managementobjective setting |
| spellingShingle | Caleb A. Aldridge Michael E. Colvin Writing SMART objectives for natural resource and environmental management Ecological Solutions and Evidence conservation planning decision‐making process environmental planning environmental quality management natural resource management objective setting |
| title | Writing SMART objectives for natural resource and environmental management |
| title_full | Writing SMART objectives for natural resource and environmental management |
| title_fullStr | Writing SMART objectives for natural resource and environmental management |
| title_full_unstemmed | Writing SMART objectives for natural resource and environmental management |
| title_short | Writing SMART objectives for natural resource and environmental management |
| title_sort | writing smart objectives for natural resource and environmental management |
| topic | conservation planning decision‐making process environmental planning environmental quality management natural resource management objective setting |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/2688-8319.12313 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT calebaaldridge writingsmartobjectivesfornaturalresourceandenvironmentalmanagement AT michaelecolvin writingsmartobjectivesfornaturalresourceandenvironmentalmanagement |