**What is the Workload Analysis
(WLA)?**![](media/image1.wmf){width="3.1041666666666665in"
height="2.654166666666667in"}

The Workload Analysis (WLA) component of the NRCS Integrated
Accountability System is a national effort to identify the quantity and
types of human resources needed to deliver conservation to the American
public. The WLA focuses on field level activities conducted by the NRCS
and our Conservation Partners (the Soil and Water Conservation
Districts, State Conservation Agencies, and Resource Conservation and
Development Councils). The data are collected to support workforce
planning, resource allocation decisions, and other strategic management
efforts.

**What types of data are collected?**

The Conservation Partnership worked together to construct the WLA. The
data collected include:

-   *Fiscal year workload for 44 core work products*

-   *Conservation needs and long range*\
    *demand for conservation services*

-   *Time and skills required to complete a typical-sized unit or
    product*

-   *Resource concerns being addressed by conservation efforts*

-   *Conservation workload driven by NRCS programs*

-   *Conservation partnership workforce available*

![](media/image2.wmf){width="2.9993055555555554in"
height="2.2868055555555555in"}

Field personnel estimate annual workload and long-range conservation
needs associated with a set of predefined Core Work Products (CWPs).
These Core Work Products represent the major workload placed on field
staff in any given year.

Time Teams, consisting of NRCS and partner specialists, provide
estimates of the time required from various disciplines to perform the
tasks necessary to accomplish each Core Work Product.

The Time Teams work in areas with similar resource concerns, production
characteristics, and time requirements for conservation activities. This
information will be used to identify staffing and training needs by
discipline and location.

A team of specialists at the State level combines the field level
workload estimates with the Time Team production rate estimates to
determine the staff needed to meet the demand. These specialists also
estimate the workload addressing specific resource concerns and program
requirements.

![](media/image3.png){width="3.25in"
height="2.661023622047244in"}![](media/image4.png){width="3.2437007874015746in"
height="2.6562992125984253in"}![](media/image5.jpeg){width="3.2271653543307086in"
height="2.3846456692913387in"}

**How is WLA information used?**

Information from the Workload Analysis is used to:

-   *Communicate resource concerns*

-   *Identify staffing needs*

-   *Identify skills and training needs*

-   *Examine trade-offs when workforce is redirected to concentrate on
    specific activities*

-   *Identify and share labor saving technologies and procedures*

**How can I view WLA reports?**

Currently, limited reports from the WLA are available at:

***[www.nrcs.usda.gov/accountability/wlareports.html]{.underline}***

Specific WLA reports addressing natural resource concerns can be
displayed for the entire Nation.

Integrated with information from other components of the Integrated
Accountability System, such as the Performance and Results Measurement
System (PRMS) and the Total Costs and Accounting System (TCAS), the
Workload Analysis will be used to provide information necessary for
management activities such as workforce planning, and performance
planning. These data also provide NRCS and our partners with the ability
to report to the administration, Congress, our partners, and the public
on local, state, and national strategic priorities, workload, staffing
needs, and accomplishments.

**Where can I get more information on the WLA?**

For more detailed information, call the NRCS Operations Management and
Oversight Division at (202) 720-8388.