The method is based on developing a common understanding that human wellbeing is dependent on the wellbeing of the surrounding ecosystem. This is as true at the level of the planet as it is at community level. At whatever level sustainability is assessed, the process involves setting common goals, identifying conflicting interests, devising and applying strategies and ways of measuring. It is a learning process involving reflection, argument, negotiation, strategizing, measurement, action and continuous reassessment. It involves identifying ill-health in the human and ecosystems and devising strategies to prevent further decline and to bring about improvement.
Indicators are tools of measurement that help to make an assessment precise.
They help to make the basis of judgement and evaluation explicit. The processes of assessment and strategy development are closely intertwined in practice. For conceptual purposes, assessment may be broadly divided into assessment of the system and assessment of the strategy. This booklet deals with how to develop indicators for assessing communities' strategies. Combining the two tools, the barometer and community-based indicators, can help communities measure their own strategies for sustainability.