Roles in Planning

Each of the possible participant groups — risk manager, risk assessor, other analysts, and interested parties — bring an important perspective to the planning phase.

Risk managers are charged with protecting human health and the environment. Risk assessors prepare a useful analysis by describing:

• Why the risk assessment is needed.
• What decisions it will influence.
• What questions they need answered to make the decision.
• What they want to receive from the risk assessor.

The risk assessor makes sure that scientific information is effectively used to address ecological and management concerns. Risk assessors explain:

• How the risk assessment can address the risk manager's questions.
• Where problems are likely to occur.
• Where uncertainty may present problems.
• What questions the risk assessment cannot answer.

Other analysts and interested parties bring their own expertise and concerns to the discussion. Depending on the risk assessment, interested parties may:

• Take an active role in planning.
• Add input to the discussion of the goals.
• Document special concerns about the environment, economics, cultural changes, or other values potentially at risk from environmental management activities.
• Communicate concerns and values to the risk manager.
• Become part of the risk management team (if they are in a position to ultimately affect the risk to the ecological values of concern).

Stakeholder involvement in the planning process and especially in goal development can be key to successful implementation if it establishes a foundation of consensus. Large groups may need trained facilitators and consensus-building techniques to reach agreement.

Relevant guidelines section(s): 2.1