Tips and Checklists

Examples of Bad Planning Objectives

Planning objectives identify what people would like to see happen regarding a particular use of the water system – more hydropower, less flooding, more recreation. These objectives typically conflict with one another at one point. For example, you can't usually operate a reservoir system to maximize flood control and water supply. Eventually, decision makers must implement a plan that strikes the best balance among these competing uses. But bad planning objectives can make finding that balance very difficult. Here are some typical mistakes and an explanation of the kind of problems they create.

• "To build a desalting plant" is a mistake because it specifies a means, not an end. The alternative of a desalting plant may need to be evaluated, but it should be compared to other means of securing reliable water supply.
• "To eliminate water supply shortfalls" is a mistake because it dictates the degree of effectiveness without consideration of cost (financial or otherwise).
• "To assess the impacts of drought". Is this what people want, to know how bad it's going to hurt? Or do they want to reduce the impacts of drought?
• "Maintain instream flows at Chelsea's Point" may be a means that is hiding the real objectives and thus limiting exploration of other, better ways of achieving those objectives. If the instream flow is for dilution, it may be better to change land management practices or provide additional treatment or even increase the dilution flows. If the instream flow is for navigation, the real objective may be to provide depth, not flow, and the relationship between depth and flow can be changed through alternatives like dredging. 

Reviewed 13 Feb 2009