Measurable Goals and Assessment Tools

Setting, Achieving, and Evaluating Measurable

Goals and Assessment Tools

Measurable Goals

• BMP design objectivesobjectives or goals that quantifyquantify the progress of program implementation and the performance of your BMPs

• Markers or milestones that you will use to track the progress and effectiveness of your BMPs in reducing pollutants to the MEP

Measurable Goals

• Yes/No– usually quantified tasks– action items

• Variety– activity– output– outcome– impact

• Allow for evaluation

Activity

• By the end of year one, we will cleanout 50% of the drop inlets. By the end of year two we will cleanout another 50%

• By the end of year one, we will adopt an enforceable ordinance prohibiting non-storm water discharges

Outputs

• By the end of year one we will produce two different brochures - one general and one targeting lawn and garden care

Outcomes

• There will be a 50% increase in the people surveyed who know the basics about MS4s between year one and year three

• There will be a 25% decrease in the number of reported localized flooding incidents between years two and three (with some evaluation of rain data)

Impacts

• 25% reduction in trash collected at creek cleanup between years 1 and 2 and between years 2 and 3

• 2 degree decrease in water temperature between years 1 and 5 due to re-vegetation of riparian corridor

Types of Measurable Goals

• Activity• Output• Outcomes• Impacts

Usually more directly related to water quality but less direct control

Measurable Goals

• Reasonable• Relevant• Reaching

Evaluation

• Measurable Goals• Program

Measurable Goals Evaluation

• Have you achieved your measurable goals?

• Collect the data you need to make determination– baseline data– inspection forms/databases

• After implementation, are they still reasonable

Program Evaluation

In some cases measurable goals may be the assessment toolassessment tool, in other cases you may also need separate assessment tool

Measurable Goals

Assessment Tools

Assessment Tools

• Evaluate and guide your program

Program Evaluation

• Program is effective– Number of inspections is

increasing while number of enforcement actions is decreasing

• Program may need improvement– The amount of trash collected at a

creek clean up remains static for three years

Program Guidance Through Evaluation

• What does it mean that the hotline isn’t getting calls?

•No problems?•Not enough advertisement?•People don’t want to be “tattle-

tails”?•People don’t believe it will be

followed-up on?

Program Guidance Through Evaluation

(cont.)• Storm drain maintenance

database indicates one area has particularly full drains

• Garbage receptacles are always full

• Vacant lot always has tires in it

Evaluation

• Remember goals of program• Educate staff on the goals of

the program– Help recognize problems and – Help find creative solutions

Conclusion

• Measurable goals objectifyobjectify program implementation and are an important part of illustrating compliance with the permit.

• Assessment tools can help evaluate and guide your program. Both are crucial for an effective

program