5. Implementation

What is the Implementation Stage?

The Implementation Stage is divided into three phases:

    1. Pre-Operational Phase: Final preparations are undertaken.
    The Project Plan contains what needs to be done and in this phase preparation activities are carried out. These include activities such as:

    • Training the team
    • Completing any trials
    • Field testing new or unproven equipment
    • Sourcing all equipment and consents
    • Completing readiness checks
    • Pre-Operation monitoring to measure the baseline for the indicators before the eradication takes place
    • Implementing the prevention component of the Biosecurity Plan.
      Note: Island Biosecurity measures must be in place before the Operational Phase to prevent new invasive species being introduced by the operation.
    2. Operational Phase: The actual removal of the target species from the project site.
    This phase will be different for each type of eradication project and for each target species being dealt with. However there are similarities; each project should by this phase have a:
    • plan to work to
    • team of motivated, capable people with good support.
    The Operational Plan describes the details of the operation and should be followed closely. Remember when doing the field work to “stick to the plan”:
    • Unplanned changes increase the risk of failure
    • Take time to think and discuss any changes
    • Where possible have experience people on site for discussions that support the Project Manager’s decision making – those
    • present at the site are best able to judge local conditions
    • Part of the planning is being clear about who has the authority to make decisions.
    3. Post-Operational Phase:
    • After the operation there are a number of post-operation activities to complete, e.g. remove unused bait, remove public warning signs.
    • The Project Manager will prepare an Operational Review to record how the eradication operation went.
    • For some projects, post-operation monitoring will occur soon after the eradication operation, for other projects it may be several months before undertaking the post-operation monitoring.

 

Why Do It?

The benefits of the Implementation Stage:
  • Dedicating enough time and resources to the preparation significantly increase the chances of success of the Operational Phase and the Sustaining the Project Stage.
  • Benefits of the eradication will have been developed during the Feasibility and Project Design Stages and will be documented in the Project Plan.

 

Who Should Be Involved?

Project Manager:
  • Responsible for ensuring all the skills and people are available to the team
  • Overall responsibility for the project
  • Uses the Operational Review to help prepare for the next eradication project.

Project Team: Complete Pre-Operational and Operational activities. Where possible include experienced person(s) who can support the Project Manager on site.

Local community: May be part of the eradication operation. To provide the necessary manpower, local communities often take part in the actual eradication operation.

Stakeholders: Notified of progress.

Independent Technical Advisor: Undertakes a project readiness check to see if the project team is ready to undertake the eradication operation. Reviews any major changes to the plan to help assess impact to the project.