In 2000, TRB sponsored a workshop for state CEO's on management issues facing their organizations. A product of the workshop, TRB Circular 501, identified research needs that have guided NCHRP 20-24. The popularity and ideas generated from the workshop prompted an additional workshop in May 2003, the CEO Leadership Forum[NCHRP Project 20-24(29)]. This Forum recognized the changes that DOT's were facing in both leadership and business practices. Focus was specific to Strategic Leadership, Program Delivery and System Operations. There were 21 action items that were identified that would help address the needs of the CEO leaders now and in the future. This project relates to a number of those 21 items and provides the opportunity to be responsive to needs of DOT leadership.

CEO's are faced with the challenges of how best to lead their Departments to meet the ever-changing demands of the transportation industry. They face questions and challenges on organizational structures, community coordination, customer satisfaction, changing technologies, and limited funding with unlimited needs. The average time a CEO holds the position is short, and there is no time for a learning curve. One of the quickest and most beneficial ways to gain information is through peer exchanges and scan reviews. One logical step is to bring together the State DOT CEOs to exchange issues, ideas, and leadership and management approaches. But the challenge is to identify the best process(es) for creating an open and effective dialog. This project addressed the problem of how to share experiences and examples of success, and create a model(s) for CEO engagement.

All contract work has been completed and the agency's final report is available below. It is expected that recommendations from this project will be pursued further by AASHTO staff and under subsequent NCHRP projects.

CEO Engagement Final Report