SWCA prides itself on being a learning organization and has Always Learning as a core value. We both capture and share important lessons learned across our organization, implementing a robust lessons-learned approach that supports a culture of continuous improvement. This lessons-learned approach is a central tool in incorporating best practices into every project, and ensures cost, schedule, and quality compliance. It also feeds into our adaptability and flexibility to project completion.

Our demonstrated flexibility in modifying scopes and budgets is best highlighted when responding to active fires during the development of a Community Wildfire Prevention Plan (CWPP). Unfortunately, this is not an uncommon occurrence and SWCA was able to hone our past experiences to adapt our scope for the Tulare County and Three Rivers CWPPs following the KNP Complex Fire. We developed new recommendations based on lessons learned from the fire that included developing a new risk assessment with calibrated fuels to accommodate residual fuel loading in the burn area, recommendations on installing a more robust community alert system and improving interagency communications, and developing emergency post-fire rehabilitation measures to protect against post-fire flooding and debris flow. In these cases, we were able to modify our budget to accommodate the significant scope changes while supporting our clients in identifying new funding sources to cover the most critical changes in scope that exceeded the original budget established prior to the KNP Complex Fire. SWCA was also able to collaborate in the grant writing process by providing application language and technical assistance.

SWCA’s fire and forestry work group of more than 40 technical experts provide a “deep bench” of knowledge when it comes to managing fast paced and evolving projects. Our project management tracking tools facilitate their ability to respond quickly and identify the best course of action in tandem with our clients.

Figure 2. Example of Adaptability in Project Completion

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