Services
Our clients trust us to use information and insight to shape strategy, design and implement programs and policies, and evaluate performance—helping them continuously increase their impact.
We support public institutions, private enterprises, and non-governmental organizations in their efforts to launch, sustain, improve, and evaluate policies and programs that address complex environmental, natural resource, and public health challenges. These challenges involve a complex mix of societal and multi-disciplinary interests and programmatic and technical complexities. At Ross Strategic we specialize in bridging these interests with collaborative processes and cutting through challenges with analysis that promotes responsive and resilient solutions. Our services are supported by sophisticated collaborative process capabilities and well-tested and innovative information technology tools. Learn more about the breadth of our services below.
Collaborative Processes
We bring people together to solve tough problems and make decisions that last. A strong collaborative process means the right people, the right topics, and the right information—all organized for productive results. We design and run meetings that are clear, inclusive, and effective—whether in person, virtual, or hybrid. Our team handles agendas, logistics, and discussion flow so participants can focus on what matters.
- Interested Parties Engagement: We help you engage the right audiences, build trust, and gather diverse perspectives that inform stronger, more durable decisions. Through thoughtful facilitation and clear communication, we identify areas of convergence and chart collaborative paths forward.
- Public Outreach: We help organizations reach the broadest public—including those who have not previously been involved—by creating approachable, open opportunities to listen, learn, and engage. Our outreach strategies make goals and decision-space clear while creating opportunities for meaningful, informed participation from interested community members.
- Board and Advisory Group Support: We keep boards and advisory groups informed, organized, and focused. From governance structures to meeting facilitation and documentation, we make sure these groups provide real value.
- Conflict Mediation and Consensus Building: We guide groups through sensitive issues with transparency and respect. Our approach surfaces concerns, clarifies interests, and helps parties find common ground for durable solutions.
- Tribal Forums and Tribal Engagement: We have extensive experience working with Tribes—both supporting agency-led government-to-government consultation and collaborating directly with Tribal staff. Our experience is grounded in an understanding of Tribal sovereignty, treaty rights, and co-management responsibilities and our engagement is tailored to tribal capacity and preferences.
Pacific Institute: Net Positive Water Impact and Corporate Water Stewardship
Chehalis Basin Flood Damage Reduction and Aquatic Species Restoration
Water Sector Cybersecurity Collaboration
Supporting Integration of Human Health Outcomes in Puget Sound Ecosystem Monitoring
Facilitating the Washington State Food Policy Forum
Program Design and Implementation
We help clients design, launch, and improve programs that deliver results. Our approach blends planning, learning, and adaptation.
- Case Study and Toolkit Development: We create practical resources that translate complex programs into actionable guidance. These tools highlight lessons learned and replicable strategies.
- Road Maps and Implementation Plans: We develop clear plans that outline steps, roles, and milestones so you can move from vision to action.
- Knowledge Management Systems that Support Communities of Practice: We design knowledge management systems and processes that keep information organized, accessible, and accurate—supporting transparency and better decisions.
- Risk and Prioritization Frameworks: We build frameworks that help you evaluate options and allocate resources based on science and evidence.
- Implementation Support and Capacity Building: We provide hands-on support through training, technical assistance, and tools that help partners adopt new approaches with confidence.
- Watershed Based Collaboration, Assessment, Planning and Management: We work with local jurisdictions, Tribes, and community groups at the watershed scale to chart place-based approaches that balance multiple goals and perspectives and achieve benefits for people and the environment.
Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning
We help organizations learn what’s working, what’s not, and what to do next. Our evaluations aren’t just reports—they’re tools for action. We start by asking the right questions, even the hard ones, and create space for honest reflection. Then we turn findings into practical steps, moving from “What happened?” to “So what does it mean?” and “Now what should we do?” Our mix of qualitative and quantitative analysis, paired with clear visuals, makes insights easy to understand and ready to use. We bring experience across the full spectrum of evaluation approaches, including developmental, formative, and impact evaluations, and tailor each to organizations’ strategic goals.
- Evaluation Frameworks: We develop frameworks like theories of change and logic models that show how your work leads to results. These tools help align activities and resources, making it clear what success looks like and how to measure it.
- Indicators That Matter: We work with you to define indicators that reflect your goals, not just numbers for reporting. These indicators give you a clear picture of progress and help guide decisions. Our tracking systems keep measurement consistent over time so you can see trends and share results with confidence.
- Data Collection That Works: We design data systems that fit your reality. They’re practical, scalable, and built to make data collection easier, not harder. These systems improve data quality and deliver timely information so you can act when it matters.
- Learning Networks: We bring people together to learn from each other and turn ideas into action. Our networks connect practitioners, partners, and stakeholders to share insights, build skills, and accelerate progress. Collaboration isn’t just a value, it’s how we work.
Research and Analysis
We turn complex questions into clear answers. Our research helps clients understand challenges, explore options, and communicate effectively. Drawing from expert interviews, literature reviews, and data analysis, we tailor our research and publications to the specific needs and objectives of our clients. Our graphic design, data visualization, and website development skills allow us to create final products that are insightful, visually appealing, and tailored to key audiences.
- Landscape Assessments and Stakeholder Mapping: We map the policy and organizational landscape so you can anticipate challenges, spot opportunities, and design strategies that work.
- Regulatory Analysis and Compliance Support: We help clients at the federal, state, and local level develop meaningful and inclusive processes to create regulations; and support the evaluation and analysis needed to update existing regulations. Our work with clients has resulted in streamlined permit processes, updates to compliance pathways, and a better understanding of operational impacts within the regulatory process.
- Epidemiological and Health Outcomes Studies: We collect, analyze, and communicate information on public health impacts across populations, providing rigorous, actionable, and equity-informed epidemiological evidence to support research and interventions.
- Climate Vulnerability and Adaptation Studies: We assess how climate change affects communities, ecosystems, and infrastructure. Our findings guide resilience-focused strategies.
- Legislative and Policy Analysis and Report Development: We turn technical information into clear, actionable reports that meet legislative and policy requirements.
Strategy
We help organizations set a clear direction and stay ahead of change. Strategy isn’t just a document—it’s a process that requires focus and follow-through.
- Landscape Assessments and Stakeholder Mapping: We map the policy and organizational landscape so you can anticipate challenges, spot opportunities, and design strategies that work.
- Regulatory Analysis and Compliance Support: We help clients at the federal, state, and local level develop meaningful and inclusive processes to create regulations; and support the evaluation and analysis needed to update existing regulations. Our work with clients has resulted in streamlined permit processes, updates to compliance pathways, and a better understanding of operational impacts within the regulatory process.
- Epidemiological and Health Outcomes Studies: We collect, analyze, and communicate information on public health impacts across populations, providing rigorous, actionable, and equity-informed epidemiological evidence to support research and interventions.
- Climate Vulnerability and Adaptation Studies: We assess how climate change affects communities, ecosystems, and infrastructure. Our findings guide resilience-focused strategies.
- Legislative and Policy Analysis and Report Development: We turn technical information into clear, actionable reports that meet legislative and policy requirements.
