7.2 Steps for revising monitoring design

Overview   Introduction   Steps in revisions   Examples of revisions   Results and next steps

Steps for reviewing and revising monitoring plans

1. You should conduct the initial monitoring plan review as soon as possible and you should re-examine each step of the monitoring wheel. Usually you will find that after the initial review, the monitoring program will require substantial adjustment. Obviously, if the point of the review is to better meet the overall goals, all adjustments should be made with the program's goals in mind, even goals that are created "on the fly".

2. You should assess whether the program goals are being met based in part on the results of the analyses of monitoring data.  For instance, some population indicator, its mean, variance, and trend will be examined in terms of the statistical ability to detect differences or trends. 

3. After the assessment of how well the monitoring is meeting its objectives, you will need to determine what actions should be taken to improve the monitoring or reduce the cost.  You will have to carefully examine any revisions of the monitoring in the next cycle.  Also, this evaluation will help you identify emerging or future issues of concern with the monitoring program and suggest appropriate responses.

4.  You will need to work iteratively through the process of reviewing and revising a monitoring plan throughout its life with the aim of continuous improvement.  Often goals and temporal and spatial designs will change over the life of the monitoring program, and these changes should be included in the monitoring plan through the seven-step process described on this web site.

Next: Examples of revisions | Go Back