Program Planning and Development
The planning cycle
Programs move through a cycle: define purpose and audience, research the resource, set measurable objectives, design the experience, deliver, evaluate, and revise. Know the difference between goals (broad aspirations) and objectives (specific, measurable, achievable outcomes). Well-written objectives describe what the visitor will do or feel, not what the interpreter will say.
Concepts to master
Thematic development: choose one core theme, support it with subthemes, and select only the facts that serve the theme. Know the value of a program outline or storyboard and the discipline of cutting material. Understand logistics: timing, group size, route, staffing, contingencies, and permits. Know the role of risk assessment and accessibility planning at the design stage, not as afterthoughts.
Common traps
Questions often reward the interpreter who includes everything they know; the better answer is usually the one that edits to the theme. Another trap confuses objectives with activities ("give a tour" is an activity, not an objective). Watch for plans that ignore contingency planning or assume ideal weather and group behavior.
Worked example
Objective: "After the 45-minute walk, visitors will be able to explain one way the river shaped settlement here." This is measurable and visitor-focused. Rule of thumb: if you cannot observe or ask about it afterward, it is not an objective.
Sustainability and partnerships
Plan for repeatability: reusable scripts, trained backup staff, and evaluation data. Partnerships with schools, community groups, and local businesses extend reach and relevance. Consider revenue, staffing, and maintenance costs early; a program that cannot be sustained should be redesigned or retired. Document decisions so future staff can adapt rather than reinvent.