fpOnline Newsletter September 2024
   

fponline download pdf
 
 

In This Issue​

Accomplishments

  • DNR has officially set fpOnline’s launch date for May 27, 2025.
  • The Software Quality Assurance Testing Lead/Manager has begun work.
  • VisualVault has begun building out the configuration framework, which entails defining the necessary form templates and fields needed for the solution and their relationships. They are also identifying user stories that require more refinement.
  • DNR has opened recruitment for the fpOnline System Administrator. This position will assist with the design and configuration of the initial build, manage fpOnline after launch, and work with VisualVault on future enhancements.

Project Milestones & Phases

  • The Planning phase involves preparation for RFP, team selection and high-level requirements. This phase started in May 2023.
  • The PROCUREMENT phase involves request for proposals, technology budget, vendor selection, and contract negotiations. This phase started in November 2023 and ended in July 2024.
  • The DISCOVERY phase involves determining detailed requirements and ensuring common understanding. This phase started in July 2024 and ends in September 2024.
  • The CONFIGURATION phase involves configuring software to meet requirements. This phase started in July 2024 and ends in February 2025.
  • The TESTING & TRAINING phase involves testing configuration and comparing it to requirements and training users using multiple formats. This phase starts in February 2024 and ends in April 2025.
  • The software will Go Live in May 2025.

Lookahead

 
VisualVault’s Discovery process will be complete in early September.
DNR will host a public meeting to share a playback in late September or early October. The playback will be an early preview of a portion of the new tool while it is being configured. This public meeting will be recorded for those who cannot attend. Date and time to be announced soon.

September 2024

  • September 3, 2024 - DNR FP Staff Advisory Committee 9–10:30 a.m.
  • September 3, 2024 - Reviewers Advisory Committee, 2:30 – 4:00 p.m.
  • September 4, 2024 - Landowner Advisory Committee 8–9:30 a.m. 
  • September 4, 2024 - *FP Program Coordinator Call, 9:00 - 10:30 a.m.
  • September 5, 2024 - *FP District Manager Meeting, 8:15 – 10:00 a.m.
  • September 13, 2024 - *Monthly RAID Log Review, 9:00 - 10:30 a.m.
  • September 17, 2024 - *FP Assistants Monthly Meeting, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
  • September 18, 2024 - *FP Program Statewide Meeting 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
  • September 25, 2024 - *Quarterly Sponsor Coalition - WaTech IT Projects, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
  • September 26, 2024 - *fpOnline Steering Committee, 3:00 - 4:30 p.m.

October 2024

  • October 1, 2024 - DNR FP Staff Advisory Committee 9–10:30 a.m.
  • October 1, 2024 - Reviewers Advisory Committee, 2:30 – 4:00 p.m.
  • October 2, 2024 - Landowner Advisory Committee 8–9:30 a.m. 
  • October 2, 2024 - *FP Program Coordinator Call, 9:00 - 10:30 a.m.
  • October 3, 2024 - *FP District Manager Meeting, 8:15 – 10:00 a.m.
  • October 8 - *FP Permit Specialist Summit
  • October 15, 2024 - *FP Assistants Monthly Meeting, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
  • October 15-16, 2024 - *FP Quarterly Meeting
  • October 24, 2024 - *fpOnline Steering Committee, 3:00 - 4:30 p.m.
 
*DNR Internal Forest Practices program meetings
 
If you have questions regarding attending informational meetings, please email dnrrefponline@dnr.wa.gov. 

Get Involved

  • Attend a VisualVault playback session
  • Attend our next Town Hall event
  • Attend Timber, Fish, and Wildlife (TFW) or Upper Columbia Basin (UCB) meetings
  • Attend professional meetings, such as:
    • Washington Forest Protection Association (WFPA)
    • Northwest Indian Fish Commission (NWIFC
    • Washington Farm Forestry Association (WFFA) 

Question of the Month

 
What is the difference between a playback and a demo? 
 
Playbacks serve as a recap of a set of business requirements and are generally presented to a project team. Playbacks can be a combination of a live demo and slides to showcase a specific part of a solution. Playbacks occur more frequently during implementation.
 
Demonstrations are fully live and available to an open audience.  Demonstrations take place towards the completion of the configuration phase, when a majority of the solution has been configured and tested.
 
What is a Change Champion Forum?
 
The fpOnline Change Champions Forum will help provide a smooth transition to the new system. DNR leadership established the Change Champions Forum to provide a structured approach for reviewing fpOnline functionality, supporting outreach efforts, and monitoring the effectiveness of training as we approach the system’s go-live date. 
 
The Change Champions Forum’s goal is to ensure stakeholders experience a smooth implementation of fpOnline by providing ongoing preparation and effective knowledge transfer.
 
Change Champions are DNR team members selected or volunteering to support the Organizational Change Management (OCM) Plan for the fpOnline Project. They are subject matter experts with a deep understanding of fpOnline’s functionality and are authorized to advocate for impacted stakeholders.
 
The Change Champions Forum’s purpose is to execute the OCM strategy for fpOnline, encouraging adoption among stakeholders while integrating their feedback into the implementation process. The forum will convene monthly to maintain momentum and address evolving needs throughout the project lifecycle.
 
Change Champions Forum expectations include:
  • Demonstrate hands-on experience with fpOnline through live demonstrations
  • Provide regular updates on project progress and achievements to stakeholders
  • Actively engage in supporting and monitoring training, department-level workflow integration, and outreach strategies 

Nerd Corner

 
These flowcharts show a high-level overview of the current Forest Practices Application (FPA) process. We are addressing these use cases and requirements from the discovery sessions piece by piece, in minute detail. We will share the future state flowcharts in the October or November newsletter.
 
1. Create and Submit FPA
PROPONENT:
  • Start
  • Complete form for a new FPA
  • Create activity map and include in application package
  • Complete required info and include in application package
  • Include required payment (paper check or cash) in application package
  • Obtain required signatures
  • Submit to Regional Office
2. Office Review of FPA
REGIONAL OFFICE:
  • Receive application package
  • Create initial Office Review Checklist and assign sequential FPA ID# using Master Log
  • Review application pack- age; obtain additional info from proponent if needed
  • Assign FPA Class (e.g., Class IV Special)
  • Complete Office Review Checklist
  • Enter app info in FPARS; include FPA PDF package
  • Issue FPA receipt
  • Washington Fish and Wildlife Department (WDFW) concurrence review?
    • NO
      • Select option to notify
    • YES
      • FPARS: Notify WDFW for concurrence
      • THIRD PARTIES: Conduct WDFW review
      • THIRD PARTIES: Provide Concur/ Non-Concur email
      • FPARS: Enter WDFW response in FPARS
      • REGIONAL OFFICE: Select option to notify
      • FPARS: Generate statutory notifications per FPARS Reviewer Profiles
      • FPARS: Ready for Forester
3. FPA Decision Review
FORESTER:
  • Receive FPA notification
  • Conduct cursory review
  • If external review is needed, schedule external reviewers and conduct external review
  • If additional info is required, repeat relevant steps from Office Review section
  • Review internal, external, and public responses
  • Enter decision in Survey 123
REGIONAL OFFICE: 
  • Complete Notice of Decision (NOD) paper- work and update FPARS
  • Send NOD to landowner, timber owner, and operator
  • Select option to notify
  • FPARS: Generate statutory notifications per FPARS Reviewer Profiles
  • END 

fpOnline Team Member Spotlight 

 
Garren Andrews, Forest Practices Training Program Manager
 
Garren Andrews is DNR’s Forest Practices Training Program Manager. In this role, he is responsible for coordinating training sessions, creating educational materials, and collaborating with various partners to ensure consistency in the interpretation and application of the Washington State Forest Practices Act and its related rules. 
 
Over his career, Garren has accumulated extensive experience in forest management and environmental education. His background includes roles in field research, program development, and engagement with interested, affected, or relevant parties.
 
Garren’s educational background is robust and specialized. He earned a Bachelor of Science in forest resources with a minor in wildland fire ecology and management from the University of Idaho. He furthered his expertise with a Master of Science in forestry sciences, focusing on fire ecology, from California State Polytechnic University.
 
Beyond his professional work, Garren is passionate about outdoor activities. He enjoys skiing, hiking, and paddle boarding, and cherishes spending his spare time in nature with his family.

Future User Spotlight

 
Jayson Gallatin, Region Outreach Support Analyst
 
Jayson started his current role with DNR as a Support Analyst in 2022. In his role, he assists  with litigation coordination, provides guidance on rule interpretation, works to eliminate inconsistencies with rule implementation amongst the program, and collects and analyzes data to inform the division’s decision makers. 
 
Jayson mainly uses FPARS/WTA/FPETS to collect data to provide management with important information related to operations, including quarterly reports. Additionally, he uses these programs to view documents related to appeals and litigation, and collect records for public disclosure requests. 
Jayson grew up in Indiana and graduated from Purdue University with a degree in fisheries and aquatic sciences in 2013. He first moved to Washington in 2014 for an Americorps position with the Washington Conservation Corps. 
 
Jayson says that he is most excited about fpOnline because of how much easier it will be to search and query information. Also, since content will no longer be manually entered by DNR staff, there should be increased accuracy and consistency with the information stored in the system. 

Keeping up with fpOnline

Future User Quotes

"We have to be comfortable with it before it rolls out to the public so we can work out the bugs. Don’t give it to me the same day [as it goes to proponents]."
- FP Tech
"These innovative, modernizing projects, they open the 'aha' door - 'look at all of these other things that we could do.' fpOnline will be a lever forward for the entire division. It will really support capacity for our internal people so they can put their minds to other, bigger things."
- FP Leadership