Once the condition of the object and what the issues facing the object have been determined a course of treatment is decided upon. "Any conservation activity should, therefore, follow sufficient research in order to identify the needs of the objects and safeguard their values and functions." In other words, different objects have different needs and treatment methods should be carried out accordingly. For example, consolidation is a treatment method that can strengthen an object that is weakened, but it can also interfere with chemical analysis. Stains might be able to be removed but the process could damage the bone if it isn't done carefully. Conservators must choose between varying methods of treatment. Should they allow the object to crack rather than apply the consolidant and simply stabilize the object as much as possible? Or complete the treatment, restoring the object to its original condition?
