BACKGROUND

Project development and delivery (PDD) for state departments of transportation (DOTs) is increasingly complex. State DOTs strive to maintain assets, increase system reliability, increase the safety and resiliency of their transportation systems, meet customer transportation needs, add mode choices and do so while enhancing equity and sustainability. However, current PDD practices and processes that rely on waterfall project management methodologies are proving to be insufficient for the increasing scope and scale of projects that often have multiple objectives. The linear progression through various gates and approval steps does not allow state DOTs to proactively address or resolve new information or issues learned in PDD without delaying subsequent tasks and, ultimately, the project schedule.

Techniques for accelerating various technical aspects of PDD have been explored and implemented successfully by state DOTs. Examples may include, but are not limited to:

• Planning and environmental linkage studies, 
• Alternative procurement mechanisms,
• State DOTs paid environmental reviewers or permitters at resource agencies, 
• Planning tools used to assist in the scoping of projects, 
• Stakeholder involvement during design, or
• Construction change management.

However, holistic approaches to increase state DOTs agility through the life cycle of PDD are not well documented or not adequate. Further, while approaches such as Agile project management are well developed, the benefits are not presented to state DOTs leadership and staff in highway PDD terms. The implementation experience has sometimes resulted in limited adaptations from other sectors.  

Opportunities to employ novel approaches may include implementing Agile project management with the concepts of design sprints, integrating cross-functional teams across organizational boundaries, and empowering decision-making. Benefits for state DOTs may include maximizing available financial resources and shortening timelines for each stage in the PDD life cycle. Research is needed to assist state DOTs in building a culture of agility to accelerate, enhance, and innovate for better PDD.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this research is to identify and prepare practical guidelines for state DOTs to implement accelerated and agile PDD practices and methods.

Accomplishment of the project objective will require at least the following tasks.