The Pee Dee River Basin, South Carolina's largest, has a 50-year plan for managing water resources.
SCDES has released of the Pee Dee River Basin Plan. The final plan is available on the Pee Dee River Basin Plan page. The Pee Dee is South Carolin’s largest river basin.
The river basin plan was completed by the Pee Dee River Basin Council, a collection of stakeholders with diverse water interests in the basin, over a two- and half-year period beginning in June 2022. The plan was developed under the guidance of the South Carolina State Water Planning Framework.
The Pee Dee River near Florence, SC.
The final Pee Dee River Basin Plan includes a review of surface and groundwater availability over a 50-year planning horizon and documents water management strategies that will help ensure water is available for all future uses.
JD Solomon Inc. served as the primary facilitator for the South Carolina State Water Planning Framework and the Pee Dee River Basin Plan.
JD Solomon Inc. provides solutions for program development, asset management, and facilitation at the nexus of facilities, infrastructure, and the environment. Visit our Facilitation page for more information related all types of facilitation.
Technical professionals should focus on guiding communication, not directing it.
One of the most effective ways to guide decision makers is to let them reach their own conclusions rather than dictating a decision. You’ll find this approach enhances the retention of your presentation and minimizes resistance to using it.
Make the Decision Personal
When decision-makers reach their own conclusions, a decision becomes personal when someone feels like they have to make it. People act on a decision they feel they arrived at independently rather than one imposed on them.
This sense of ownership fosters stronger commitment and long-term buy-in. Without excessive persuasion, a well-structured presentation of information draws decision makers into the analysis, making the insights more memorable and meaningful.
Avoid Direct Instruction
Avoiding direct instruction also helps sidestep resistance. No one likes to feel forced, particularly in high-stakes environments. When we tell someone how to decide, their instinct may be to push back, even if the facts align with their interests.
Allowing decision makers to work through the information and arrive at a logical conclusion diffuses tension and increases receptiveness. This is particularly critical in politically sensitive or complex discussions, When the stakes are high, an overt push in one direction usually triggers conflict.
Minimize Noise
The more you say, the more noise you are likely to create. Over-explaining or personal interpretations dilute key messages. Simple, clear, and well-organized information allows the decision maker to process insights on their terms.
When something is obvious, it does not require embellishment.
Guide Communication with Decision Makers
Less is more. We create more effective communication when we guide decision makers rather than instruct them. As trusted advisors, our role is to present information effectively, not to make decisions for others.
The elements of the FINESSE fishbone diagram® are Frame, Illustrate, Noise reduction, Empathy, Structure, Synergy, and Ethics. Visit our Tackle Shop for communication and facilitation resources.
Effective risk management requires more than just identifying and assessing risks.
Risk management is an essential practice in any organization. It guides decision making and resource allocation to mitigate vulnerabilities and potential threats. However, without clear and effective communication, even the most well-structured risk management plans fail in execution. The bottom line is that effectively communicating risk management is just as critical as identifying and evaluating risks.
The Role of a Standard Framework in Communication
A structured framework provides a common language for discussing risk, reducing misunderstandings and inconsistencies. The ISO 31000 standard serves as a widely recognized framework that outlines key elements such as:
Context, Scope, and Criteria
Risk Assessment (Identification, Analysis, and Evaluation)
Risk Treatment
Recording and Reporting
Monitoring and Review
Communication and Consultation
This structured approach aligns risk management plans with organizational goals. A structured approach also helps integrate risk management with other systems like safety, quality, and reliability.
Establish the Organization’s Context
There are several risk management standards (not just ISO 31000). All of the standards correctly state that different organizations may interpret and apply risk frameworks differently. Therefore, establishing the organizational context and clear risk-related definitions is the first step in a risk management plan and its communication.
Common Pitfalls in Risk Communication
These are my top three pitfalls related to risk communication.
A. Diving in Too Fast and Too Deep
One of the biggest mistakes in risk communication is focusing too quickly on risk assessment. Risk assessment, often seen as the "sexy" part of risk management, tends to capture the attention of senior managers. However, risk assessments are ineffective without first establishing the context, setting clear definitions, and ensuring alignment within the organization. Risk assessments require time and must occur at different levels of the organization.
Risk also means different things to different people and to different parts of the organization. Traditional ways that functions like safety, security, quality, reliability, and finance have interpreted risk in their different silos must be integrated. This integration takes time and must occur at different levels of the organization.
B. Lack of Communication and Monitoring
Risk communication is often acknowledged as vital but receives little structured guidance in standards like ISO 31000. Without a deliberate communication strategy, stakeholders may not fully understand the risk management plan, leading to poor implementation.
Additionally, monitoring risk mitigation actions is crucial and yet often overlooked. Executive sponsors and implementation leaders must ensure that monitoring mechanisms are in place to track the progress and effectiveness of risk management strategies. Correctly implementing risk monitoring is a big part of effective communication.
C. Risk Management as a Layered Mess
Risk management appears to be a complex web of terminology, processes, and interdependencies to most people outside the risk profession. As technical professionals, risk managers often like it this way.
The complexity of the risk profession makes clear communication essential–just like any other technical profession. If executive sponsors and implementation leaders fail to distill risk concepts into understandable terms, important front-line personnel disengage or misinterpret key aspects of the plan. The risk management plan then becomes nothing more than a paper tiger.
Best Practices for Communicating Risk Management
These are my top five best practices for effective risk communication.
1. Establish Context and Definitions
Before diving into risk assessment, executive sponsors and facilitators should work with a cross-functional group of personnel to define key terms, establish the organizational context, and align the plan with different functional interpretations. This foundational work establishes a common understanding and reduces miscommunication down the line.
2. Use Visual Aids and Clear Language
Leveraging visual aids such as charts, heat maps, and decision trees makes abstract concepts more tangible. Using clear, jargon-free language ensures non-experts can effectively engage with the risk management process. The best risk managers have a common touch.
3. Foster Two-Way Communication
Risk management is not a one-time activity. It is an ongoing process that requires input from various people and functions within an organization. Encouraging dialogue, seeking feedback, and adjusting communication strategies can improve engagement and buy-in. Common understanding and open feedback loops must be present for two-way communication.
4. Prioritize Monitoring and Maintain Feedback Loops
A consistent monitoring process keeps risk management plans relevant and actionable. Facilitators and plan implementers should work with organizational leadership to define key performance indicators (KPIs) for risk management, conduct regular reviews, and provide transparent reporting on progress. The best monitoring programs are only as structured as they need to be.
5. Integrate Risk Communication Across Departments
Risk does not exist in isolation. Facilitators and plan implementers must make sure that risk communication extends beyond the risk management team and integrates with other corporate functions. Cross-departmental collaboration fosters a risk awareness culture and proactive decision making.
Effective Risk Management
Effective risk management requires more than just identifying and assessing risks. It must include effective communication. By leveraging standard frameworks, avoiding common pitfalls, and adopting best practices, facilitators and plan implementors can bridge the gap between risk analysis and implementation. Establishing context, maintaining clear communication, and monitoring mitigation actions are essential guardrails that keep risk management efforts on track. Learn more through Communicating with FINESSE® and the FINESSE Fishbone Diagram®.
