Incorporating shared decision making in forest management planning: an evaluation of Ontario's Resource Stewardship Agreement process.

distribution of power. Principled Negotiation and Respect / Trust somewhat met The process operates according to the conditions of

principled negotiation including mutual respect, trust and

understanding. somewhat met The process provides incentives for cooperation and

collaboration in a problem-solving manner, rather than for

continued adversarial behaviour. somewhat met Participants demonstrate acceptance of, understanding of,

and respect for the diverse values, interests, and

knowledge of the other parties involved in the process. Effective Process Management somewhat met The process is managed effectively by providing a

project/process plan, coordination and communication,

information management, and support to ensure participants

are getting the resources required to participate

effectively. neutral Neutral process staff are available to assist participants

if they need assistance not met The process is co-ordinated and managed in a neutral

manner. Accountability somewhat met Mechanisms are in place to ensure the interests of the

broader public are represented in the process and final

agreement. neutral The public is kept informed on the development and outcome

of the process. somewhat met Participants are empowered by and effectively speak for

the interests they represent. Flexible, Adaptive, Creative neutral Flexibility is designed into the process to allow for

adaptation and creativity in problem solving. met The process provides opportunities for joint fact-finding

by affected groups; allows issues and questions to be

raised early in the process. somewhat met Feedback is incorporated into the process such that it can

evolve as the parties become more familiar with the

issues, the process, and each other, or to accommodate

changing circumstances. High Quality Information somewhat met The process provides participants with sufficient,

appropriate, accurate, and timely information, along with

the expertise and tools to incorporate the information

into the decision-making process. somewhat met Uses information of many types from various sources and

assures agreement on its meaning. Time Limits somewhat met Realistic milestones and deadlines are established and

managed throughout the process. neutral Milestones focus and energize the parties, marshal key

resources, and mark progress. However, sufficient

flexibility is necessary to embrace shifts or changes in

timing. not met It is made clear that unless parties reach an agreement in

a timely manner, someone else will impose a decision. Commitment to Implementation and Monitoring somewhat met The process fosters a sense of responsibility, ownership,

and commitment to implement the agreement outcome. somewhat met The process and final agreement include commitments to

implementation and monitoring. Integration neutral The process is ethically compatible with fundamental moral

and social values. Independent Facilitation not met The negotiation process uses an independent trained

facilitator acceptable to all parties throughout. somewhat met The facilitator demonstrates neutrality, communicative

competence, general knowledge, and basic understanding of

issues. Agreement neutral The process produces a high quality agreement that is

understood and accepted by all parties. somewhat met The agreement is feasible, implementable, stable,

flexible, and adaptive. somewhat met Where a consensus agreement is not reached, the outcome of

the process ended any stalemate, allowing parties to move

forward without a formal agreement. Perceived as Successful somewhat met Participants are satisfied with the outcomes of the

process and view their involvement as a positive

experience. neutral The process is resolving the problems it set out to

resolve. Conflict Reduced somewhat met The process reduced conflict. met The process improved capacity for dispute resolution. Superior to Other Methods neutral The process is superior to other planning or

decision-making methods in terms of costs and benefits.

Costs include time and resources for process support,

management, and participation. Benefits include the

positive outcomes of the process. Creative and Innovative somewhat met The process produced creative and innovative ideas and

outcomes. undetermined New ideas are tested and learned from. Ideas that are not

successfully implemented provide opportunities for

learning and growth. Knowledge, Understanding and Skills somewhat met Stakeholders understand more about the issues and other

stakeholders' interests and viewpoints. somewhat met Stakeholders gained new knowledge or skills by

participating in the process. This may include

communication, negotiation, consensus building, data

analysis, or decision-making skills. Relationships and Social Capital somewhat met The process created or strengthened personal and working

relationships, and social capital among participants. neutral Participants work together on issues or projects outside

of the process. not met The process increased trust/faith in the process itself

and in the other stakeholders involved. Information somewhat met The process produced improved data, information and

analyses that stakeholders understand and accept as

accurate. This includes facts, inventories, models,

forecasts, histories or analytical tools. This information

is shared and is useful to participants and others for

purposes outside of the process. Second Order Effects neutral The process generated beneficial spin-off effects. undetermined Results in learning and change in and beyond the process. Public Interest undetermined The outcomes are regarded as just and serve the common

good or public interest, not just the interests of

participants in the process.