Mn/DOT Project Management Peer Review - Summer 2009

Principal Investigator(s):

Jim Grothaus, Former Sr Dir, Tech Assist, Center for Transportation Studies

Project summary:

A one week (3-5 days) peer review will be conducted for Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) in the area of project management. The review will include up to 50 MnDOT staff; including 6 Steering Committee members, 12 project team staff, 20 project delivery staff in the Central Office and the Districts, 4 program management staff from the Central Office, and 8 staff from other areas such as the IT office, Research Services, Maintenance, Traffic Operations, and ITS. The review will consist of consultant representatives with expertise in project management, one FHWA Washington, DC, contact, and three to five State DOT representatives from various states with project management expertise. The primary involvement for the peer review will be MnDOT's management and project managers with representatives from several other offices that also manage projects or have some role in managing any stage of MnDOT construction projects. Representatives from three to five other state DOTs will be peer reviewers or presenters in order to provide expertise and a range of viewpoints on project management within their respective states. Participation by the FHWA (Washington, DC) and a consultant facilitator is also desired. Participant materials will be prepared for use before and during the peer review. Together, the peer review and supporting materials will enhance the key principles of project management including the identification of best practices, as well as areas for improvement. The review will be structured to be interactive with the participants. Out-of-state DOT presentations may be included to demonstrate other project management methodologies. A consultant facilitator will be used to lead large and small group activities and help identify best practices and areas for improvement in Minnesota. Participants will be encouraged to share their own experiences, gain input from others, and to think about the future of project management at MnDOT.

Project details: