Indicators must:

	be relevant to management objectives, be scientifically valid and fit in a policy framework
	be developed with all those involved in the management cycle, from stakeholders to those carrying out monitoring: indicators are unlikely to work successfully if imposed from above
	be credible, easy to understand and unambiguous
	reflect an essential, fundamental or highly valued element of the environment being monitored
	be part of the management cycle and not an end in themselves
	focus on the use of information, not on the gaining of it
	have a clear link to the environmental outcome being monitored
	be kept under review, and refined when necessary, as part of adaptive management
	provide early warning of emerging issues or problems
	be capable of being monitored easily to show trends over time
	use accepted and clearly documented methods, and units
	be as simple and cheap as possible (whilst still achieving their desired ends)
	be adaptable for use at a range of scales, wherever possible.

Other essential elements for indicator development include:

	partnerships between communities, government, companies and research agencies setting-up and running the process, and sharing information and experiences
	the provision of adequate resources (time, expertise, funds)
	a commitment to collect new data if required
	continuing research and development to provide the most appropriate indicators and to understand cause and effect relationships
	awareness of the links to wider social and economic considerations.