01128877

Component

This study examined multiple aspects of the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) Research program. It provides numerous observations of the overall program and the research investment portfolio as well as guidance for developing a strategic research agenda which was requested by the WYDOT research program management and executive leadership. The study provides insight into various categories of research projects by analyzing data across all projects and detailed case studies for a select group of projects. The overall program is very efficiently managed. From proposing projects to the Research Advisory Committee (RAC), to executing projects with sponsors, to fulfilling administrative requirements, WYDOT’s research program has minimal decision layers, is efficient, can respond quickly and is not afraid to support research that falls “outside the box”. That stated, there are significant opportunities to improve program effectiveness and this paper provides numerous recommendations, tools and aids to accomplish this. The study provides a process for developing an agenda for working with programs to solicit research opportunities to execute the research agenda. Linking research to WYDOT’s Balanced Scorecard (BSC) targets is not a recommendation for completely abandoning current Research program philosophy. A key strength of the program is the fact that on a quarterly basis WYDOT provides an open forum where with program sponsorship, an idea can be proposed to the RAC and based upon merit receive significant funding within three weeks. What is recommended is that WYDOT find and maintain balance between a strategic research agenda and pursuit of real-time, high potential research and development opportunities. The study defines performance measures for improving program effectiveness. The ten performance measures selected by WYDOT, in aggregate, comprise the proposed balanced scorecard for the research program. These measures are comprehensive and coherent. They link research to the strategic plan through a research agenda and focus on outcomes (effectiveness) while also addressing process (efficiency). The measures provide WYDOT with a framework for continuous improvement, i.e. measure-monitor-manage-measure. The measures are quantifiable, and trends in these measures should be communicated through the Annual Research Work Program report. In addition to a performance measurement system, the study provides the research program with other tools and aids such as a proposal evaluation checklist, supplemental guidance for researchers for proposal development and a researcher survey for gathering feedback and continuous improvement. Although focused on WYDOT, the results of this study and the tools, aids and methods provided to improve research program effectiveness should be applicable and useful to other state transportation agencies.

01120148

09-1899

English

26p

2009

Transportation Research Board 88th Annual Meeting

DVD

Figures (7) ; References; Tables (3)

Case studies; Leadership; Management and organization; Measures of effectiveness; Performance measurement; Research; State departments of transportation

Research programs

Wyoming

Administration and Management; Highways; Research; I10: Economics and Administration

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2009 Paper #09-1899

TRIS, TRB

Jan 30 2009 6:10PM