For incident objectives to be effective, they must be...

Incident objectives are crucial for guiding operations during an incident response. For these objectives to be effective, they must be specific and measurable, ensuring clarity in what needs to be achieved. This specificity allows all participants to understand their tasks and the overall goals of the operation, facilitating coordinated efforts and accountability.

Moreover, aligning objectives with the Incident Commander's authorities ensures that they are realistic and actionable within the established framework of the incident command system. This alignment is vital because it helps to avoid situations where objectives cannot be met due to constraints or limitations that have not been considered. As such, the formulation of clear and measurable objectives aids in assessing progress and making informed decisions throughout the incident management process.

The other options describe characteristics that may lead to ambiguity or inefficiency. General and open-ended objectives might lead to confusion or divergent actions among team members. Broad objectives could dilute focus and make it challenging to measure success effectively. Lastly, relying solely on verbal agreements can lead to misunderstandings and a lack of documentation, which is essential for clarity and accountability in complex operations.