Within the context of this process, the following glossary of terms is applicable:
| Term | Leading question | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Sustainable development | How do we make balanced decisions? | A set of regulations and administrative measures aimed at a rational and sustainable balance between the ecological, economic and social interests of the forest and the renewable resources it provides. This perspective requires the construction of a forest policy based on strategic lines of action and objectives that take into account all three types of views of society. |
| Forest policy vision | What do we want to reach? | A brief and relevant expression describing the imagined future of the forestry sector |
| Guiding principle | What are the rules? | Political, economic, technical or social behaviour that conditions the materialisation of the vision |
| Strategic actions | What are we focusing on? | A strategic goal towards which all the efforts and resources must be directed in order to achieve the vision. It is characterised by full compatibility with all the guiding principles and has a general approach because it does not refer to concrete practical measures. |
| Objective | What do we want to achieve? | A realistic, specific, measurable target and its deadline. This will materialise the strategic direction of action, concretely explaining what must be obtained from a practical point of view. |
| Performance indicator | How do we measure? | Quantitative or qualitative expression of the progress towards the goal. It must be credible and quantifiable in the most objective way possible. |
| Practical measure | What are we going to do? | Concrete action that contributes to achieving the concerned objective. This is applicable when the direct action is obvious and useful (eg. amending a regulation, etc.). |
| Project | How will we take action? | Action plan that aims to achieve the intended objective. Applicable when the action must be the result of a complex process of analysis and reflection. |