The framework, on paper

Observation worksheet.

Two pages. The first plans an observation before anything changes; the second records what was seen and what comes next. Print it, or save it as a PDF.

See a completed example

The worksheet organises observations. It gives no score and no dosing, does not diagnose, and is not a substitute for veterinary, agronomic or medical advice.

The Microbiome Management Framework · Observation worksheet · Page 1 of 2

Plan the observation

Prepared by
Date started

System and question Question 1

Which living system, which individual or area, and the one question you want answered.

Baseline Question 2

What is usual before anything changes. Note the conditions and the measures below over long enough to see ordinary variation.

Management changes Question 2

Planned changes, with dates. Unplanned ones too: weather, feed or water, housing, routine, people, health care.

Evidence consulted Question 3

What you read about this system and this kind of change, and how closely it matches your setting.

Measures Question 4

What you will observe or measure, how, and by whom. Use the same method and the same words each time.

Measure	How, and by whom	Units or the words used

Timing Question 4

When each measure is taken: before, during and after the change, at the same time of day.

Before the change	During	After

The Microbiome Management Framework · Observation worksheet · Page 2 of 2

Record and decide

Observations Question 5

What was seen, with dates, in the words of the measures above.

Date	Measure	What was seen	Anything else that changed

Alternative explanations Question 5

What else could explain a change: weather, season, ordinary variation, other management, health events, the method itself.

Next steps Question 5

Continue, change, investigate further or stop, and who else should see this record.

This worksheet records observations. It gives no score and no dosing and does not diagnose. Seek veterinary, agronomic or medical advice for any concerning sign. Carbon Biome Project, The Microbiome Management Framework, version 1.1, 22 October 2026. carbonbiomeproject.com/framework/worksheet/