Building Organization at Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) manages diverse responsibilities, from wildlife conservation and enforcement to public land stewardship and tribal relations. To enhance internal coordination and operational efficiency, the Department sought an organizational assessment to evaluate its structure, staffing, and supervisory framework.
Challenge
While staff at the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife were deeply committed to the agency’s mission, internal communication and management structures lacked consistency. Variations in role definitions, decision-making processes, and staffing allocations led to fragmented coordination across divisions. These challenges hindered cross-functional collaboration and limited the Department’s ability to adapt efficiently to evolving resource and policy demands.
Solution
Matrix Consulting Group conducted a detailed analysis, including internal interviews, workflow assessments, and benchmarking against peer agencies. The findings highlighted key areas for improvement in governance, staffing distribution, and operational alignment.
Key recommendations included:
- Refining supervisory spans of control to improve management effectiveness.
- Formalizing interdivisional communication protocols to enhance collaboration.
- Creating new planning and coordination roles to support long-term strategic initiatives.
- Standardizing core business processes to ensure consistency across program areas.
- Strengthening workforce development and succession planning for sustained organizational stability.
Outcome
With these enhancements, WDFW is now better equipped to deliver high-quality services across the state while maintaining the flexibility needed to effectively navigate resource constraints, policy changes, and stakeholder expectations.
