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<br />For those further interested in developing their skill in preparing use- <br />ful objectives, we recommend Mager's (1962) helpful book on preparation of <br />instructional objectives in education. It is cleverly written, easily read, <br />and most thought-provoking. <br /> <br />SUMMARY <br /> <br />Improved planning will enhance progress in the fish and wildlife field. <br />Step-down planning through deductive thinking is offered as a tool in tactical <br />planning to identify all necessary elements to solve a problem. There are six <br />steps in plan development. <br /> <br />The first step is to identify precisely a problem whose solution is <br />needed to produce benefits. <br /> <br />1. From the facts at hand, establish one simply stated, <br />single purpose, base item, or primary objective that <br />communicates the identity, nature, and depth of the <br />problem. <br /> <br />The question is then asked, to attain this objective, what obstacle(s) <br />must be overcome? In answer to this question, <br /> <br />2. Derive a second echelon of items that will accomplish <br />the firs t. <br /> <br />The question is repeated for each second and succeeding echelon objective <br /> <br />to <br /> <br />3. Derive a third, fourth, etc., echelon of items. <br /> <br />As each echelon is derived, its validity is tested with the conditional <br />sentence <br /> <br />If and only if <br /> <br />, then <br /> <br />This will determine with certainty that each antecedent (the lower of two <br />echelons in the plan) leads to and completes or accomplishes the conclusion <br />(the superior of two echelons). <br /> <br />4. Continue the logical derivation of subordinate objectives <br />until terminal items are reached, that is, items recognizable <br />as actions which can be performed, or items whose paths to <br />solution are not immediately evident from existing knowledge or <br />technology. <br /> <br />This deductive thought process breaks a relatively complex problem into <br />more items, each being less and less complex. It assures focus of attention <br />on the primary objective and specifies all actions necessary, and only those <br />actions which are necessary to attain that objective. <br /> <br />14 <br />