Can the value added by a vegetation management program be fully understood by all stakeholders within a utility?

Understanding the value added by a vegetation management program can be complex and may not be fully appreciated by all stakeholders involved with a utility. Stakeholders can include various groups such as management, operational staff, regulatory agencies, and the community. Each of these groups has different perspectives, priorities, and levels of understanding regarding the benefits of a vegetation management program.

Management may focus on overall organizational goals, budget implications, and regulatory compliance, while operational staff may emphasize the practical aspects of how vegetation management impacts their daily work and safety. Additionally, community stakeholders may have their own interests, such as the conservation of aesthetic values or environmental concerns.

Since stakeholders have varied areas of expertise, experiences, and interests, the nuances of how vegetation management contributes to reliability, safety, environmental health, and cost efficiency might not be clearly communicated or appreciated across all levels of the organization. Therefore, the full value of such a program is often not universally recognized or understood, leading to differences in perceptions and expectations.