Through the planning process, you can identify the hazards that threaten your community, assess your vulnerability to them, and build consensus on approaches to mitigating them. This process leads to the identification of cost-effective, environmentally sound mitigation measures. In fact, the planning process is so critical to implementation of effective mitigation measures that some of the programs, described previously, that are intended to fund mitigation measures, require a mitigation plan as a condition of such funding. The planning process is as important as the plan itself. Your community can follow a general 10-step process that incorporates the classic planning approach of gathering information, setting goals, reviewing alternatives, and deciding upon which actions to take. The steps are: (1) Organize to prepare the plan. Selecting the right person to lead the planning effort is important. (2) Involve the public. Emphasize participation of key stakeholders, including at-risk homeowners, business owners, managers of critical facilities, and technical staff. (3) Coordinate with other agencies and organizations. They can provide technical assistance and inform the community of relevant activities and programs that can support your efforts. (4) Assess the hazard. Identify the particular hazards affecting your community and the risks they pose to your community's critical infrastructure. (5) Evaluate the problem. Getting participants to agree on a problem statement is the first step in reaching consensus on solutions to the problem. (6) Set goals. Establish goals as positive and achievable statements that people can work towards. (7) Review possible strategies and measures. Include a range of hazard mitigation measures for consideration. While some measures may be quickly eliminated, others should be evaluated carefully to determine how they work as well as their costs and benefits. (8) Draft an action plan. Keep it brief. Include sections on how the plan was prepared, recommended mitigation actions, and a budget and schedule. (9) Formally adopt the plan. Gaining public acceptance is vital to reducing conflicts, building support for the recommendations, and getting the plan formally adopted. Keep the public informed and educated so they will readily accept the plan. (10) Implement, evaluate, and revise the plan. Develop procedures to measure progress, assess strengths and weaknesses, and decide on necessary changes. (FEMA, The Planning Process: The Foundation of Disaster Resistance, September 14, 2006, p.2)