Streamlined Assessments are Integral to Operationalizing Resilience

Abstract

As infrastructure systems face growing challenges from threats and increasing complexity, resilience has become a critical focus in sustaining essential services and managing risks. However, existing frameworks for assessing resilience are often impractical for owner-operators of critical infrastructure like dams and watersheds due to their complexity, extensive data requirements, and high costs. The failure of the Oroville Dam spillway in 2017, which resulted in mass evacuations and extensive damages, underscores the urgency for practical assessment strategies. This perspectives piece highlights the development of a streamlined resilience assessment approach co-developed with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Savannah District. Unlike traditional assessments that often become “one-and-done” exercises, our framework leverages simplified metrics, expert elicitation, and existing data to create adaptable and reproducible measures. By using a modified Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) to align resilience metrics with stakeholder priorities, this approach balances the need for comprehensive data with operational feasibility. Key insights suggest that streamlined assessments are integral to bridging the gap between resilience theory and practice, making it easier for decision-makers to evaluate and improve baselines consistently. Future efforts should emphasize metrics that are interpretable, prioritizable, and replicable to foster a culture of continuous improvement in resilience planning.

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