Successful Planning

Planning can take many forms.  Some planning processes have a rigid schedule of meetings, formally chaired and run; other employ a flexible workshop approach. There are advantages and disadvantages to each method. The choice of planning method is context-dependent: characteristics of planning area, water management issues, and needs and interests of water users.

However, it is possible to make some generalizations about effective planning.   

Good planning therefore must be able to address the conflicting values and uncertainty around resource management. Successful watershed planning requires coordination and cooperation; planning is done for people. Some general guidelines for good watershed planning include: 

·          Clear vision, goals, objectives and action items.

·          Political endorsement:  The relevant decision-makers must be willing to consider implementing the plan. 

·          Full representation of all affected parties, while keeping the size of the process workable. 

·          The planning process should be understood, used and broadly supported.

·          There should be access to appropriate technical and analytical skills and information resources.

·          The process should set priority goals with related objectives and actions.

·          Planning process should have sustainable funding.

·          Planning should take place before further development that will undermine the effectiveness of the plan. 

·          There must be the capacity for learning and improving over time and the ability to evaluate the process.

Related Guide Pages:

·          Watershed Planning

·          Planning Processes

For more information on Successful Planning: 

·          Chester, Arnold. 1998. Wanted: Natural Resource-based Land-use Planning for Watersheds on the Nemo Project website. 

·          Goodman, A.S. and K.A. Edwards. 1992. Integrated water resources planning. Natural Resources Forum. 16(1): 65-70.

·          Heathcote, I. 1998. Integrated Watershed Management: Principles and Practices. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., ISBN 0-471-18338-5.

·          Veale, Barbara J. 2003. A Review of Watershed Planning and Management: Best Practices, Legal Tools and Next Steps. Commissioned research for Leading Edge: Stewardship and Conservation in Canada conference, Victoria, July 2003.