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Workload Analysis (WLA). Rationale. To develop a work plan, you must have some realistic time estimates of what you can do within the time to be planned [just how much time do you spend in your gov vehicle anyways?]. Objectives. the participants will be able to:
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Rationale • To develop a work plan, you must have some realistic time estimates of what you can do within the time to be planned • [just how much time do you spend in your gov vehicle anyways?]
Objectives • the participants will be able to: • Understand the function of a WLA in developing project plans and annual/business plans for their project area • Prepare a project WLA using the WLA Tool provided utilizing information from the evaluation, long range plan and other sources • Prepare a time period (quarter, annual) WLA using the WLA Tool provided utilizing information from the evaluation, long range plan and other sources
Roles & Responsibilities • MLRA SSO in NSSH 608.01(g)(1)(i) • NSSH also references General Manual Title 340 for NRCS Policy • Found in Part 401, Subpart D, 401.31
Projects What? Why? Who? When? Where?
What? • Individual projects from your evaluation and long range plan • Your entire FY goals for developing your APO
Why? • You need to know how long will it take for a project from start to completion • What is reasonable as far as what you can accomplish in a set period of time • fiscal year? • field season?
When? and Where? • Both will probably come from your evaluation and long range plan
Analyze Individual Projects • What are the tasks (milestones) for each project • Most projects will include several tasks, such as: • Contacting landowners • Gathering documentation and capturing in Pedon PC and NASIS • Characterization or reference sampling work in the field • ArcGIS activities • NASIS data population and/or editing • Correlation activities • Other?
Analyze Individual Projects • Equate this to the private sector • Determine resources needed • Determine when those resources are available, especially if they are people • Develop a budget proposal
Analyze Your FY • So now: • Your APO will probably include multiple projects to be completed entirely or in part during the FY • There are many support items that need to be addressed • Do this to help plan what you can realistically accomplish in any given year
Critical Production Tasks for an APO • Projects from evaluation and long range plan • Technical assistance (if Technical Soil Services is part of workload) • Outreach • Whatever it is you are assigned to do
Support Items • Leave • Training given and received • Meetings • Management and supervision • Miscellaneous – • travel to and from field • routine events (emails, phone calls, breaks, etc.) • Unanticipated, unplanned events • Whatever it takes to support you and your staff
Sources for Estimating Time for activities • Tools • People resources • Query those with experience • Go as far as needed to find your answers • We are not reinventing the tasks we do, somebody has done it before • Test own estimates • Do we tend to under or overestimate? • Adjust WLA as you gain knowledge
Time-frames other than annual? • Long range? • More than 1 year? • Quarterly?
Some more on the quarterly idea • Could do as a quarterly or an annual look • Do one time • Look at the seasons in your area • Look at what repeats each “season” • Holidays, leave, training, meetings, etc • Account for remaining time based on the “season” as: • field • office
1-Project page 2-APO page
Summary • WLA is a tool to help you plan • WLA is a tool to help you sell your plan • What is provided?: • WLA Tool template for projects • WLA Tool template for APO (or other period of time) • Job aids for using both