• To translate data into policy relevant information. That is, they describe, show trends and communicate the results of implementing objectives.
It is evident that indicators have to be developed to measure the specific issues considered important. For the purposes of addressing implementation of the IWRM approach and the goal of sustainable management of water resources this module takes water resources management functions as the starting point. Indicators discussed in this document therefore relate directly to water resources and only indirectly to the organisation(s) responsible for managing the water resources.
3. Criteria for Developing Indicators
The most important point in developing indicators is not to be too ambitious. Start with what can be realistically done or else failure is guaranteed.
Indicators may change with time to reflect the status of the river basin. For example at an early stage of water resources management it may be enough to record the numbers of polluters with permits. Later when all polluters are licensed then it may be more appropriate to look at compliance with licenses and water quality objectives for the river.
Several criteria can be identified for choosing indicators. Not all indicators may comply with all criteria and criteria may change for different circumstances. In our context of addressing water resources management an overarching criterion is that the indicators relate to river basin water management objectives and are:
a) Simple, easily measured, understood and applied
The data used for indicators should be in a format that is easy to use, can be measured using standard techniques, explained using established principles, and easily used for analytical purposes. The more complex the indicator the less useful it will be. The data collected should be reliable and collected using standard, defensible methods.
b) As few as necessary
The capacity to measure and report is usually limited by financial and human resources, especially in developing countries. Being burdened with an excessive number of indicators may mean that the system fails to achieve the expected benefits or does not work at all.
Indicators reduce the number of measurements and parameters that normally would be required to give an exact description of a situation. As a consequence, the number of indicators and the level of detail contained in the indicator set need to be limited. A set with a large number of indicators will tend to clutter the overview it is meant to provide.
c) Use existing information where possible
It is preferable that the information needed to measure an indicator is available through existing data sources and monitoring programs or that data collection can occur through existing programs. This will improve the cost effectiveness of the system.
d) Relate at the appropriate scale
An indicator should be related to the specific situation it is "indicating" information about. The indicator should be measurable at an appropriate scale, both temporally