Identify objectives and select interventions

In order to develop an effective drowning prevention program, it is important to first define program goals. Each goal should be linked to one or more objectives, which are tangible, specific and measurable steps towards achieving these project goals. Interventions that best correspond to objectives should be incorporated into any new drowning prevention program to ensure its relevance and maximise its impact.  

Identify objectives

When selecting objectives, ensure they are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and have a time frame. The most important aspect of identifying objectives is ensuring that they are achievable through the program.  

Selecting interventions

After establishing what a program needs to achieve, specific interventions which will lead to these outcomes can be identified.  

There are three main ways to select intervention(s)

1. Hold a brainstorming session with relevant stakeholders experienced in drowning prevention to determine which interventions would best address the identified objectives. This may call on previously conducted successful interventions, or could result in the development of a new, previously untried, intervention.
2. Research similar past programs and borrow or adapt their objectives and linked interventions.
3. Use one of the many free to access objective and intervention matching matrixes available online. One example of these matrixes is the Logical Framework Matrix. This tool provides step by step instructions on how to identify objectives (goals), outputs to match with required interventions (activities).  

Advantages

• Objectives and interventions can be easily identified from past programs, or new interventions can be established.
• This process of project planning can be relatively cost-effective and simple.
• Many free to access tools and resources are available to guide the process.
• Effective way to define and explain program objectives in detail.  
• Prevents the misuse of resources on the implementation of less relevant or less suitable interventions.  

Disadvantages

• There is no guarantee that objectives can be achieved using the interventions chosen through this process.
• Some of the models are complex and may require prior experience to complete.

Context

Identifying objectives and selecting interventions is a process that should be conducted during the very early stages of project planning, after specific problems in a chosen context have been identified. It is important to avoid duplication by ensuring that the chosen intervention/s are not already being implemented, or have previously been unsuccessfully implemented, in the chosen context.