One major challenge planners experienced was knowing what level of detail to use in varying circumstances. Overall, the group emphasized the importance of focusing on qualitative data versus quantitative data in programmatic NEPA documents. The site-specific details and quantitative data appear in the project-level NEPA documents and should be avoided in programmatic NEPA if it is not necessary. Instead, the programmatic NEPA document should utilize qualitative data such as ranges of numbers and description of general context and trends.

#### 3.7.4 Public Engagement

The group discussed the difficulty with the time period between releasing the draft and final plan because forests want to maintain communication with their stakeholders throughout revision. Individuals mentioned that there is a challenge around balancing the resources needed to develop a final plan while also wanting to continue engagement and not appear unresponsive to the public while processing comments. Workshop participants suggested using a forest’s collaborative group as a sensing tool to identify needs and reengage on key, controversial issues. Many participants discussed approaches to responding to numerous comments, including the Collaborative Comment and Analysis Response Application (CARA) and coding. Planners recognized the importance of developing a coding structure and continuous team engagement throughout the content analysis process. Participants suggested weekly check-ins to make sure everything is being addressed appropriately. See §219.4 and §219.16 for more information regarding public engagement and comments.

## 4. Presentation Topics

### 4.1 Project management

The workshop included an hour of panel discussions on project management plans, staffing, and regional support. Project management plans lay out plans for completing the plan revision process, including timelines for relevant tasks, staffing plans, and resource considerations. They should be consistent with public involvement plans.

#### 4.1.1 Lessons Learned and Best Practices

Based on their experience revising forest plans, forest planning staff noted the importance of appropriate project management. Workshop attendees said that developing project management plans while concurrently undertaking planning does not work. Based on this lesson learned, forests should seek to develop comprehensive project management plans before getting too far into forest planning. Participants reflected that an initial investment in project management yields better accountability to partners and management, fewer missed deadlines, and anticipation of problems before they occur.

There was agreement that project management plans should include time to read, process, and consider input from the public and should consider holidays and staff leave time. Workshop attendees noted that project managers should expect some turnover of agency personnel and have a plan to address the departure and arrival of planning staff.

An additional presentation on editing resources noted that project management also must include time for the production and delivery of planning documents that achieve Section 508 Accessibility compliance. Forests should decide whether they intend to seek help from agency