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Step 4. Objectives and outcomes

Determine objectives and desirable outcomes

Determine the result you want from your community education project. Define this in terms of a goal, educational objectives and desired outcomes. The goal or aim of your project is a broad statement of what you want to achieve—the purpose of your project. It summarises the collective effect of your specific objectives.

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How?

In step 1 you will have outlined a broad goal. After steps 2 and 3 you'll have a clearer understanding of the stakeholders and target group, which will enable you to define your goal more precisely (see 'broad goal' and 'revised goal' in the case study below).

Define your educational objectives in terms of the knowledge, skills, values, beliefs and practices you want the target group to have or adopt to achieve the goal. Define desired outcomes in terms of the effects and outputs (tangible products) you hope will result from your project.

Tips

• Be realistic in setting your goal and objectives.
• When you've written down your objectives, spend some time to consider how you'll evaluate the extent to which they've been achieved
• Be clear and specific about what you want from your project.

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Questions you can ask

• What are we aiming to achieve as a result of this education project?
• What are the specific educational objectives of the project in terms of knowledge, skills, values, attitudes and practices? Are these objectives measurable?
• Do we need to look at short-term and long-term goals for this issue?
• What are the key messages we wish to communicate?
• What outcomes do we want from the project?
• Will any products result from our project? What will we do with these products when the project is finished?
• How will achieving our objectives help solve the issue or problem?
• What barriers may hinder the achievement of our objectives? 

Case Study: Shoalhaven Business

Broad goal

To develop and implement a partnership project with Shoalhaven City Council to address waste generation and stormwater pollution problems associated with small industries in Nowra as part of the Solutions to Pollution campaign.

Refined goal

To undertake an environmental review and education project within the south Nowra industrial estates which would:

• provide information for future environmental education projects targeting small industries and businesses
• assist in reducing stormwater pollution and waste generation
• develop partnerships between local and State governments and small business.

Educational objectives

Educational objectives were:

• to increase knowledge and understanding about the environmental impact of stormwater pollution and waste generation
• be able to identify the environmental impacts associated with business premises
  be able to identify solutions to the environmental impacts
• develop an appreciation for the value of cooperation between industry, the community and government in environment protection
• to encourage the use of work practices that reduce the environmental impacts of business premises.

Outcomes

Major outcomes and outputs were:

• evidence of better 'housekeeping' practices, specifically in relation to reduced stormwater pollution
• an increase in recycled material collected by waste management staff
• a reduction in the amount of waste being collected and disposed to landfill
  examples of cleaner production activities
• educational products such as business information material and positive newspaper articles
• knowledge about smaller industries and businesses, which can assist with work in the future
• relationships established with Council, business and industry groups
• a report which enables other groups to implement a similar project.

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