Online Program

What Does It Take for an Organization to Make Difficult Information-Based Decisions? Using the Oregon Department of Forestry’s RipStream Project as a Case Study (303542)

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Keywords: Decision-making, collaboration, stakeholder, communication

Organizations frequently want decision-making processes to be supported by data and analysis. However, these processes risk breaking down when analysis results point towards politically difficult solutions. In these situations, what circumstances enable leadership to make hard data-driven decisions? What can managers do to support the organization’s leadership as well as their staff? Are there useful strategies and attitudes that the analyst or scientist can adopt to help navigate the turbulent times that follow? The purpose of this presentation is to address these questions, initially with the Oregon Department of Forestry’s RipStream project used as a case study, but ultimately with the perspectives and experiences of audience members. The presentation will describe the role statistical analyses played in changing Oregon’s streamside tree retention regulations but focuses on the importance of communication, stakeholder involvement, outreach, coordination, and institutional commitment. The topic is relevant to anyone involved in organizational decision-making processes.