19. which of the following is not a recommended characteristic for incident objectives?
19. which of the following is not a recommended characteristic for incident objectives? — Framing the Question
If you’re staring at a multiplechoice question like:
19. which of the following is not a recommended characteristic for incident objectives?
> a) Measurable
b) Flexible to change
> c) Unclear or vague
d) Achievable
You probably already know “c” is the red flag. But let’s break it down.
Incident objectives are key goals set during any emergency (a fire, cyberattack, or system outage). The Incident Command System (ICS) emphasizes that these objectives need to be clear, measurable, and achievable. Why? Because vague goals waste time and create silos.
Correct answer: Unclear or vague. Not only is it not recommended—it’s the fast lane to failure.
Core Characteristics of Strong Incident Objectives
To see why “unclear” doesn’t fit, let’s look at what good objectives do share:
1. Specific
A solid objective defines what needs to happen. “Evacuate people from Zone A before 8:00 PM” is way better than “Evacuate people soon.”
2. Measurable
You can’t manage what you can’t measure. “Restore network access to 90% of users in 3 hours” gives you a finish line.
3. Achievable
Don’t set yourself up for failure. Goals should stretch you, not bury you. Unrealistic goals slow teams down and dilute morale.
4. Timebound
Without a target timeframe, objectives lag. Good goals say when they need to happen.
5. Flexible—but Not Vague
Here’s where people get confused in reference to 19. which of the following is not a recommended characteristic for incident objectives?. Objectives can be flexible because realworld conditions shift quickly. But flexibility doesn’t mean being ambiguous.
Example: If a fire blocks an evacuation route, objectives may adjust. But you still need a new plan, clearly defined and communicated.
Why Vagueness Hurts the Response
Let’s say your incident objective is: “Address the issue.” That’s worse than useless—it wastes time.
Compare with: “Identify root cause of server failure within 45 minutes.” Now everyone has direction. Clarity saves lives, systems, and credibility.
Lack of specificity usually leads to: Conflicting actions Duplicate work Fingerpointing when things fall apart
That’s why unclear or vague is the odd one out in 19. which of the following is not a recommended characteristic for incident objectives?.
TestPrep Tip: Know “SMART”
The easiest way to remember good objectives? Use the “SMART” acronym: Specific Measurable Achievable Realistic (sometimes Relevance, depending on the source) Timebound
If something doesn’t line up with that, scratch it off your list.
Final Thoughts
When answering questions like 19. which of the following is not a recommended characteristic for incident objectives?, don’t overthink it. Strip it back to basics.
A good incident objective keeps teams aligned, focused, and nimble. Avoid anything vague or broad—it’s not a helpful trait in a crisis.
So next time you see a list of characteristics, and one of them sounds like “go with the flow” without direction—mark that one wrong. Then get back to solving the real problem efficiently.
