Site Analysis - Project Planning and Management for Ecological Restoration - page 45

Chapter 4
Site Analysis
In the previous chapters, we introduced a systematic approach to project planning that establishes
a framework for undertaking restoration activities, and we began to answer the question, “What
makes a project successful?” We found that the first part of the answer lies in the project manage-
ment process: establishing a method to clearly identify and then achieve project goals and objec-
tives which ensure that specific project strategies adequately and accurately respond to stakeholder
needs, requirements, and expectations.
The second part of the answer is using a site analysis process . Figure 4-1 illustrates the many
factors (divided into four groups) that should be evaluated during this phase of formulating the
project. These factors represent a compilation of several dozen projects throughout North Amer-
ica. The result is a list of factors significantly more elaborate than any one project. Each of these
topics is discussed later in this chapter.
We have presented the site analysis process as a wheel because there is no absolute beginning
point or order for addressing these factors. Specific site conditions will typically guide you to the
most obvious issues. Regardless of the apparent lack of presence on-site, we encourage you to at
least touch on each topic, even if it is only to confirm that no issue exists. In doing this, you may
avoid unnecessary errors on your project. From the center wheel of figure 4-1, each factor having
a response is assigned one of five categories (fig. 4-2) that will contribute to developing a list of
project requirements. The center wheel is the SWOT-C analysis (discussed later in this chapter).
The responses may lead you to reevaluate your goals or include new elements. The outcome of
conducting the SWOT-C analysis is a series of suitable and feasible objectives that support the
final goals of your project. These changes contribute directly to the final project requirements.
SWOT-C site analysis begins with data collection, involves data interpretation and analysis
throughout the process, and concludes with the synthesis of data that are keyed to your project
goals and objectives. Analysis of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats, and constraints
(SWOT-C) provides the context for identifying actionable items that require a response, leading to
the creation of conceptual project plans (chapter 6). By assembling a clear picture of the strengths,
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