Adaptive Management can be defined as a systematic, rigorous approach for deliberately learning from management actions with the intent to improve subsequent management policy or practice. For the purposes of the TDA/SAP Approach, adaptive management can be described in 4-steps, shown below:

Simply put, the TDA/SAP adaptive management cycle involves assessing the problem (through the TDA), formulating a strategic plan with robust indicators (through the SAP), implementing the actions identified in the SAP and finally monitoring the outcomes, both short-term and long-term and adapting the plan accordingly.

Further information can be found at:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adaptive_management

http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfp/amhome/index.htm