Developing good standards: criteria, characteristics, and sources

Abstract

Standards in recreation settings refer to levels of impact which are defined as acceptable. Standards are established for different indicators or variables which reflect various impact levels, and they have become a central idea in several recreation planning frameworks, focusing management attention on quality and future conditions. For all their usefulness, however, there is little information about how good standards should be developed, the criterion for choosing indicator variables for which standards are set, the characteristics of good standards, or the sources of good standards. This paper examines each of these issues. Discussion suggests that indicator variables should be specific, measurable, sensitive to change, correlate with and respond to alternative management actions, integrate well with several impacts or conditions, and significantly affect the environment or experience being provided. Good standards should be like good objectives: quantifiable, time-bounded, attainable, and output-oriented. The sources for good standards begin with broad laws or policy mandates, and may then include managers' professional judgment, scientific research, public involvement, and representative surveys of users, each with various advantages and problems.