Managing Dispersed NEPA Teams

Description

Participants in this course will learn how to manage dispersed teams (i.e., individuals working remotely) when complying with the analysis requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The training focuses on effectively managing dispersed individuals who contribute expertise to the NEPA analysis and overseeing the dynamics of dispersed teams in accomplishing the process. The course addresses challenges of managing dispersed team interactions and understanding the differences from in-person interactions. The course will also include ideas of how to enhance the performance of dispersed team members and address behavioral issues unique to dispersed teams.  

Objectives

Upon completion of this workshop, participants will be able to do the following:

  • Manage dispersed teams to efficiently implement requirements of (NEPA).

  • Identify techniques managers can use to enhance the quality of input from dispersed team members to the NEPA analysis process.

  • Conduct remote meetings (e.g., Zoom), including interdisciplinary team meetings, that result in consensus of team members.

  • Examine tools and techniques for managing efficient and effective NEPA document reviews with remote teams.

Content

Our workshops strive to meet the needs of our participants and can be adapted to meet the needs of a particular agency. The basic format of the interactive workshop includes the following components:

  • Organizing and managing dispersed teams.

  • Understanding team members’ communication styles

  • Managing remote team interactions and discussions for all phases of the NEPA process.

  • Overseeing conflicts and disagreements among team members.

  • Gaining agreement and consensus of team members on NEPA tasks and products.

  • Conducting dispersed program and project document reviews.

Audience

Participants for this training generally include environmental coordinators, team leaders, resources specialists, and decisionmakers involved in preparing environmental analyses with remotely located teams, as well as individuals in private companies who provide contract work for these teams.

Process

Managing Dispersed NEPA Teams was developed as an on-line interactive workshop with both new and experienced managers in mind. For optimal learning, the class size is limited to 20 participants. This 2-day workshop consists of a carefully designed combination of the following:

  • 60% Lecture

  • 20% Discussion

  • 20% Exercises

Materials

Participants receive the following:

  • Comprehensive workshop manual

  • Workshop Resources workbook