Large Agency Sustainability Assessment
Why EcoLogix Group was engaged:
The leadership of a state highway agency requested assistance in implementing a new organization wide initiative to integrate the principles of sustainability. The effort would apply not only to field operations but within the daily work of the entire agency. The purpose of this activity was to assess the agency’s awareness, practices and ideas regarding sustainable outcomes. The findings would help leadership determine how to develop and implement changes in organizational culture and business practices.
How EcoLogix Group Responded:
With guidance from agency leadership, EcoLogix Group utilized a one-on-one approach by interviewing representatives at various levels of the organization in headquarters divisions and field offices across the state.
The EcoLogix Group expertise in sustainable field practices as well as experience in organizational leadership and communications provided a critical foundation to support a large agency analysis. In addition, the development of an organizational analysis and recommendations for sustainable practices for a large, multi-faceted agency utilized EcoLogix Group’s extensive government agency management expertise. Due to EcoLogix Group’s intimate knowledge of highway and transportation organizations and culture, interviewees quickly recognized that the discussion is not only heard but understood – whether at the level of service delivery through field operations, or by those who understand budgetary and policy frameworks. This skill set proved to be especially useful when conducting interviews in a trusting and knowledgeable way. EcoLogix Group’s collective experience and communications skills enabled the development of valuable recommendations based on the assessment findings and that easily reflected an understanding of the agency’s management systems and philosophy.
With this strategy, EcoLogix Group was able to identify and document sustainability practices underway within the agency, assess the level of success and concurrently collect practitioner suggestions for new initiatives and practices. Interviews with external stakeholders revealed where agency initiatives were succeeding or needed improvement. These discussions also led to discoveries of new opportunities for the agency to strengthen relationships and communications. By including interviews with other states’ highway organizations, the Federal Highway Administration and industry groups, the assessment also offered big picture recommendations from other similar organizations who had previously implemented sustainability initiatives. The final report provided management with an array of immediate steps to implement a sustainability initiative across the agency using existing organizational structures and employee initiatives.
Outcome:
EcoLogix Group provided the agency with customized recommendations to achieve longer term organizational change and enhance business practices with employees and external stakeholders going forward.
LEAD:
