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Decision Support Process for the development of a SMS

Identifying Risk Areas

The Framework identifies a range of risk areas and information associated with those risk areas. This is intended to provide a basis for a sector or industry organisation to develop an industry specific programme. The requirements and level of detail and will be dependent on the objectives for the SMS programme and the outcomes sought. Key steps in developing an industry programme include:

Use of a generic template and structure for each risk area that is included in the programme will ensure consistency and user friendliness.

Identifying risk areas relevant to the specific industry or sector.


The Framework identifies a range of risk areas. The importance and relevance of the risk areas will vary between each industry or sector group. The Framework provides a starting point for considering what may be included in a specific industry programme.

To establish the relevant and important risk areas a review or stock take of the types of activities undertaken by the sector will be required. It is suggested that a list of activities that could impact on a risk area be identified.

For instance: Land - Physical - Damage to Soil Structure. What activities undertaken could lead to damage to soil structure?

Identifying legal responsibilities that the industry must meet


The legal responsibilities for each key risk area selected then need to be identified. The Framework will provide some overarching responsibilities and there may also be specific industry legal responsibilities that need to be included. Clearly identifying the legal requirements will assist in establishing objectives and targets for the risk area.

Establishing objectives and targets for each risk area selected


In formulating an SMS programme for the industry the objectives and targets set are important for establishing the standards the programme is seeking to achieve. Objectives need to be clear, achievable and realistic and reflect best management practices within the industry. The objectives become the basis against which any monitoring is undertaken so they should be clear and measurable.

The Framework does not provide objectives for each risk area as these were considered to be industry or sector specific. Many of the background documents included in the Framework will provide a direction for the setting of relevant objectives.

Establish methods to achieve the objectives


The Framework includes many methods and sources of information that could be used to achieve the objectives set. The intent is that where a relevant method exists it will incorporated into a programme, rather than development of methods for all risk areas.

For instance: Land - Physical: There are a range of soil assessment tools identified which could be used as a method to establish an on-farm soil assessment.

SMS vary in the extent to which the programme provide detailed information for users of a programme.

Tools which can be included to facilitate the use of methods include:

  • Checklists to provide an on-farm evaluation to establish the current situation
  • Provision of record sheets to enable easy recording of information
  • Provision of a framework and templates for the development of a farm management plan based on the identified risk areas
  • Provision of fact and guide sheets for the key risk areas.
  • Details about where additional information can be found.

Determine training requirements necessary to achieve the target


Training of users may be required for each risk area and objective. If it is identified that a risk area has a high priority then it may be appropriate to implement a training programme to up skill users in that area. It may be that there are relevant training programmes provided by an existing provider and the industry could include these within the programme. For example, GROWSAFE® is often incorporated into industry programmes. FarmSafe could also be included as a means of achieving health and safety objectives.

Establish methods to monitor progress on reaching objectives


Having established targets for the industry in each of the risk areas it is important that users can monitor progress against the initial assessment and as a result of using methods outlined in the programme. A range of monitoring tools and methods are available, and some of these are identified in the Framework.

The type and level of monitoring tools will be dependent on the level of assessment that the programme seeks to achieve, particularly if the programme is to be used as a basis for certification of an industry programme.

For instance a self assessment monitoring tool will be quite different to a monitoring tool that will meet external audit requirements.

Generic template for each issue identified

A generic template is provided to help planning as to how your industry or sector may respond to the risk areas that are to be included in the programme.

The Directory provides a list of risk areas as a basis for selecting what is relevant to your sector or organisation. When you have selected the relevant risk areas download the template and complete it for each risk area. You can compile all the risk areas together and this will help identify priorities and the shape that the programme may take.

For instance it will help determine the type and level of response you may need to include or the type or level of training that may be required across a range of risk areas.

This may take some discussion within your organisation as to the type of response required but that is essential to determining the shape of your programme.

Download Generic Template (Word doc Word doc 24kb)