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The Process
This process for developing sustainability indicators integrates citizen values with scientific observation and analyses, and with the long term, big picture perspective of civic leaders. It is designed to weave together perceptions, values, and data in a context of long-term health and vitality for citizens and the natural ecology. Citizen values and needs drive the process but scientific data and methods provide the foundation for indicators that are dependable and understandable. The process is iterative, with information moving between and being processed by: 1) the general public, 2) a group of civic leaders and 3) technical advisors.

Types of Indicators
An indicator is a set of data that shows how a system, much larger than that which is measured, is performing. The status of the entire system can be interpreted from the indicator data because the relationship between the large system and the events or phenomena being measured is understood or the characteristic is of critical importance regardless of how well it is understood. An indicator can show quantitative and qualitative information. The data is usually measured over time so that trends can be viewed and goals set.

There are three kinds of indicators:

Systemic Indicators give an overall picture of how something is performing. Examples are oil pressure in a car engine, altitude in an airplane, blood pressure, ozone concentration in the atmosphere. The Sustainable Seattle Indicators of Sustainable Community are Systemic Indicators
Diagnostic Indicators provide information specific to a particular activity or component. They are usually employed only after a systemic indicator develops a trend that can only be understood by with more detailed information, or is undesirable and needs correction.
Performance Indicators measure the effects of a program, plan, or project relative to a desired set of outcomes. These indicators are tied to specific activities that are designed to correct a problem that was initially identified by systemic and diagnostic indicators. These indicators are only used for the duration of the program.

There can be functional overlaps where any one of these indicators may work as one of the other types in a different situation. Often diagnostic indicators are also used as performance indicators.

Examples:
The oil pressure gauge in your car provides systemic indicator data. It measures the oil pressure at one point in the engines extensive lubricating system. However, it is well understood how the performance of lubrication in your car engine varies with the pressure at that point. Furthermore, the performance of your care engine is well understood relative to the performance of the lubrication system. Oil pressure won't tell you what to fix but it can warn you before expensive or irreparable damage is done to your engine. If the pressure is too high or too low then a mechanic looks for a problem by gathering information about other parts of the engine. The diagnostic information may be metal bits in your oil, oil level in the engine, oil pump function.

Blood pressure measures the how well your body's blood circulation system is working, heart, arteries, veins. It is taken on your arm just above your elbow, but is representative of your whole body. If it is determined that you have high blood pressure then further investigation is performed. Your arm isn't treated for blood pressure, instead, diagnostic data may be gathered from blood chemistry, lifestyle, diet, and others.

A local elementary school may be tracking its performance by checking reading level for 4th grade students. If that systemic indicator is too low or the trend moves down over several semesters, then diagnostic indicators may be employed. They could be, reading preparedness in kindergarten, spelling or vocabulary in first grade.

Glossary of Sustainablilty Indicator Terms | (PDF* Format)