Aims and Objectives

When faced with complex problems there are three key considerations when looking for a solution:

1. What are the aims and objectives?

2. What are the resources available?

3. What are the constraints that need to be worked within?

The first of these is most important.

(A discussion about resources and constraints can be found here.)

Heading bush walking for the day and rain is forecast. Does it matter? It all depends on the aims and objectives.

For example:

• Is this a group of trainee outdoor instructors who need to demonstrate competency in navigating in adverse conditions?

• Or

• Is this a group of mates taking out their very young children who were looking forward to seeing some views and having a relaxing day outdoors?

Of course aims and objectives of the participants aren’t the only consideration. Sometimes the aims of the client are held above those of the participant (e.g. the school student on an outdoor education program often has very different aims than the school and/or parents that have sent them there), and sometimes the objectives of the organisation running the day come in to play too (we might be able to meet the aims and objectives of the clients, but the cost to us would be too great, or perhaps something like cycling in the mud is damaging to our equipment).

Third parties come in to it too. For example: land managers like the National Parks and Wildlife Service may restrict access to an area for environmental reasons.