In an incident, all activities are directed to accomplish defined objectives. This is called Management by Objectives.

Under ICS, the Incident Commander (or Unified Command) establishes incident objectives.

Management by objectives includes:

• Establishing specific, measurable objectives
• Identifying strategies, tactics, tasks, and activities to achieve the objectives
• Developing and issuing assignments, plans, procedures and protocols to accomplish tasks
• Documenting results against objectives to measure performance, facilitate corrective actions, and inform development of objectives for the next operational period