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Outrider is extremely privileged to be a part of the Conservation Volunteers Australia's bush fire volunteer portal release that is currently underway. This very important project has been running since earlier in the year before the COVID-19 lockdown period began. The portal will facilitate safe and effective volunteering experiences on bushfire recovery projects following the devastating fires experienced over the last Australian summer
Outrider has been involved in many aspects of the solution design and implementation. A natural tension has existed between the desire to launch quickly and capture the public's interest in the immediate bushfire aftermath and a more measured approach given the need to ensure the physical and digital safety of volunteers. These tensions frequently arise when date driven outcomes are pursued. It would be nice to point at some easy rules of thumb that can guide decision making when time is tight but most often finding the way forward is all about context.
The arrival of the COVID-19 outbreak in Australia dramatically shifted the goal posts on this project. As field work opportunities were suspended the team were able to spend more time focusing on some of the strategic solution options as the ‘fast to market’ pressure reduced. Extra consideration could be given to complicated solution components like project and volunteer search attributes with more time spent on software quality as well. On the flip side organisational focus squarely on COVID-19 meant this project was often not the highest priority amongst stakeholders showing how quickly context can shift.
The arrival of the COVID-19 outbreak in Australia dramatically shifted the goal posts on this project. As field work opportunities were suspended the team were able to spend more time focusing on some of the strategic solution options as the ‘fast to market’ pressure reduced. Extra consideration could be given to complicated solution components like project and volunteer search attributes with more time spent on software quality as well. On the flip side organisational focus squarely on COVID-19 meant this project was often not the highest priority amongst stakeholders showing how quickly context can shift.
For outrider important take outs from this stage of the engagement were that:
- understanding the (evolving) organisational strategy is critical for making good decisions in uncertain environments; many design and operational choices came down to the best alignment with CVAs long term organisational goals
- COVID 19 has not changed the fundamental delivery principles that exist when building technology solutions in the digital domain; getting it right for the customer is paramount
- Greater social and economic volatility demands greater flexibility from operators like Outrider; if we're going to support clients effectively, we need to be in lockstep as social and economic forces have an impact
The Bush fire volunteer portal is the first phase of a bigger CVA program that will open up volunteering opportunities across Australia starting with Bushfire restoration within a broader strategy spanning multiple conservation domains. The big picture is critical; there is no doubt that for CVA a significant motivator for getting more people involved in environmental & conservation activities is the ease with which they can identify and be involved in practical efforts that make a measurable difference.
Outrider are very proud to be involved in work that will ultimately change the conservation landscape in Australia.
Outrider are very proud to be involved in work that will ultimately change the conservation landscape in Australia.