In theNational Incident Management System (NIMS), the core activity that drives theIncident Action Plan (IAP)and supports a coordinated response isManagement by Objectives. This principle mandates that the Incident Commander (or Unified Command) establishes specific, measurable goals for the incident. These objectives guide the selection of strategies and the tactical assignment of resources. Without clearly defined objectives, a response becomes reactive and disorganized, with various agencies potentially working at cross-purposes.

The incident action planning process (the "Planning P") is designed specifically to facilitate Management by Objectives. For each operational period, the command staff reviews the current situation, identifies what needs to be accomplished (e.g., "Complete search and rescue in Sector A by 1800 hours"), and documents these in theICS Form 202 (Incident Objectives). This ensures that every responder, from the frontline to the EOC, understands the mission's priorities. WhileCommon Terminology(Option C) andOrganizational Resources(Option A) are important NIMS principles, they are structural "supports" for the response; it is the "Management by Objectives" that actually directs the "Proper Response" by ensuring all actions are purposeful and aligned.

For theCEDPprofessional, mastering Management by Objectives is the hallmark of a high-functioning Incident Management Team. It allows forAccountabilityandResource Managementby linking every resource request directly to a specific objective. If an objective cannot be met with currently assigned resources, the IAP process provides the mechanism to order additional assets or adjust the strategy. This systematic approach ensures that the response is proactive, helping the Incident Command to "get ahead of the incident" and move toward stabilization and recovery with maximum efficiency.