Before actually proceeding with Sustainable Development Indicator (SDI) selection, the SDI Group first determined what kind of process would best suit its needs and circumstances. To successfully pick useful SDI, the SDI Group chose an annually repeating selection process that meets the following characteristics:
1) Simple: The selection process should avoid complex procedures and processes that will confuse and alienate potential participants. Individuals, groups, and organizations who wish to participate should know exactly how and when to provide input into the selection process.
2) Broad Participation: The SDI Group should encourage input from a broad range of individuals, groups, and organizations to ensure a rich selection of indicators. The SDI Group should take all practical steps to facilitate effective and broad participation.
3) Policy Neutral: The selection process should serve as a forum to identify, but not resolve policy issues. Resolution of policy issues lies outside the scope of the SDI Group.
4) Cyclic: The selection process should repeat annually. This will allow the SDI to evolve each year as the issues change and the nation learns more about sustainable development.
5) Robust: The SDI Group needs a resilient and robust selection process. The selection process should not depend on the work of any single individual or group. The process should work when membership in the SDI Group changes. The process should not depend on the completion of work or schedule milestones outside the control of the SDI Group. The process should scale up or down in response to the funds available each year.
6) Low Cost: The cost of the process should remain low to fit within the available funds.
7) Open: Interested parties should have free and ready access to all information, materials, and data developed by the SDI Group during the process.
8) Relevant: The selection process should assure that the indicators selected prove relevant to the users.