Transforming organizational culture and improving outcomes

SynergyUSA established a foundation for a culture of respect, inclusion, and collaboration at DNFSB, enhancing the agency’s performance and mission-achievement.

The Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (DNFSB), an independent oversight organization within the Executive Branch, provides the general public with assurance that the Department of Energy’s defense nuclear facilities are being safely designed, constructed, operated, and decommissioned. However, for many years, DNFSB has faced serious cultural, management, and performance challenges that decreased its ability to fulfill its mission of nuclear safety oversight.

DNFSB approached SynergyUSA with two goals:

  • Establishing a healthy workplace culture through sustainable organizational transformation 

  • Addressing ongoing concerns around workforce representation, recruitment and retention, employee engagement, and succession planning

Strategic Initiatives: 40 change management recommendations & priority actions adopted, 20 senior leaders trained around communications & conflict resolution skills

How we drove cultural change and built a collaborative workplace:

  • Focus Groups & Interviews: We interviewed leadership and conducted employee focus groups to understand DNFSB’s workplace culture, employee experience, and operational challenges. 

  • Data Analytics & Best Practices: Through workforce analyses of FEVS and demographic data, we provided insight into workplace trends and recommended evidence-based actions to address gaps and barriers.

  • Change Management: We devised an Organizational Change Roadmap and developed a Strategic Communications Framework to increase leadership buy-in through effective stakeholder messaging, engagement, and feedback collection. 

  • Leadership Development & Training: We coached leaders one-on-one and guided strategy execution, designed a Leadership Summit, and facilitated online/in-person communications, conflict resolution, and managerial skills development.

  • Policy Review & Development: We revised DNFSB’s staffing program policies and procedures for improved talent management, legal compliance, and program effectiveness.

Results Achieved:

After many years of workplace challenges, DNFSB began to take steps forward to create a culture of inclusion, respect, and organizational excellence. It adopted all 8 of SynergyUSA’s change recommendations, as well as 32 of its action initiatives (82%). These efforts enabled DNFSB to work towards increased communication and collaboration, leadership transparency and employee empowerment, and a safe and supportive work environment for all employees.

A board with many sticky notes on it

"Ms. Walton and her team were able to help us think through not only the necessary organizational changes but the communications and messaging strategy that would need to be deployed through the organization as those changes were being made. 

Overall, this organization is exceptionally talented, responsive, and professional."

- Joyce Connery, Former DNFSB Chair