Goal programming is a special extension of linear and mixed integer programming whereby deviations from goals are minimized within an objective function. Thus, in these types of management problems, goals of perhaps very diverse outcomes of forest management (wood production, wildlife, aesthetics, structural conditions, economic value, etc.) and their desired level of achievement need to be defined prior to the application of this problem-solving method. Therefore, one distinct difference between goal programming and straightforward linear or mixed integer programming is the ability of goal programming to recognize these (and other) different types of management outcomes in the objective function of a problem formulation. Further, the goal outcomes can be normalized if their range of measurements is distinctly different. Even further, weights can be devised to force the achievement of certain goals during certain periods of time at the expense, perhaps, of other goals.