A workplan with a time and budget should be prepared for the evaluation, identifying specific activities and time periods for starting and completing those activities. Alternatively, consider how much time and/or budget is available to conduct the evaluation and organize the specific activities accordingly. A timeline can also provide a means to set up targets and milestones to accomplish along the way.

The amount of time and cost needed for each activity will depend on the number of indicators selected, the size of the fisheries co-management area, the complexity of the fisheries system, and choice of methods. Consider the costs at the same time as considering the indicators. Consider which indicators have similar methodologies, such as a survey that could be used for several indicators. Also, consider which of these methods are included in existing monitoring programs of the co-management system. Consider the amount of data that needs to be collected. This will partly depend on internal and external audience needs and on the type of data being collected. Determine when the data needs to be collected. Consider factors such as seasonality and frequency.

Estimate the budget that will be needed for the evaluation. For example: 

Assess the available human resources, equipment and budget; if not sufficient, develop a plan to secure funds. Secure additional resources as necessary.

Pull together all the components into an evaluation workplan. A workplan outlines the approach and a set of activities to be undertaken during the evaluation, the sequence of activities, and the individual team member responsibilities/tasks for each activity. The workplan should set forth as precisely as possible what activities will be undertaken, by whom, timeline, and under what budget. The evaluation workplan should describe which analyses will be done with what data and by whom. Distribute the evaluation workplan to the evaluation team.