WSDOT planners and engineers need to select and analyze performance measures for different project tasks. The tasks below are tied to WSDOT’s Policy Framework, which can be in the form of legislative direction or technical policy. WSDOT identifies seven (7) tasks tied to the agency’s business functions, and one task that focuses on monitoring the performance of the system once a project is implemented:
- The core WSDOT business function is to Manage System Assets. Asset Managers operate and maintain assets, including highway infrastructure, to a state of good repair. This activity is typically done in Maintenance and Operations.
- This leads to the next function, which is to Identify Needs. Needs are identified through system wide performance monitoring, inspection, or analysis at the program/functional level or by corridor.
- The needs identification leads to the next step: Assess Alternative Strategies. Various strategies are assessed and evaluated to determine solutions. Strategies can focus on operations, demand management, or capital investment approaches. This is a Planning activity.
- After strategies have been reviewed, the Refine Solutions task identifies a solution that includes a strategy or combination of strategies. In this task, performance tradeoffs, return on investment, and stakeholder input is evaluated to refine the solution. This is a Scoping activity.
- Next, the Assign Resources activity allows for the solutions to be funded according to the appropriate program. This activity is typically done in Program Management.
- The Develop Funded Solutions activity is where the solution is designed. This activity may be led by Design, Traffic Operations, Demand Management, through a local partnership, or by another organization.
- The solution, whether operational, demand management or capital, is implemented in Implement Solutions. This activity may be led by Design, Traffic Operations, Demand Management, through a local partnership, or by another organization.
- Finally, there is a need to Monitor Post-Implementation Performance of a service, program, or completed project to determine if it is meeting performance expectations.
The following table illustrates how these tasks are linked to the range of project activities encountered in a typical day by people with various roles within the agency.
| I AM A... | WORKING ON A... | AND NEED TO DO THIS... |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation Planner | Statewide Plan | Identify Needs Assess Alternative Strategies Refine Solutions |
| Regional Plan (e.g., State Facilities Action Plan) | ||
| Corridor Plan, Subarea Plan, or Corridor Sketch | ||
| Station Area Plan | ||
| Environmental Planner | Environmental Document | Identify Needs Assess Alternative Strategies |
| Grant Administrator | Update of Selection Criteria | Identify Needs |
| Project Selection | Assess Alternative Strategies Assign Resources |
|
| Performance Report | Monitor Post-Implementation Performance | |
| Traffic Engineer | Operational Assessment | Identify Needs Assess Alternative Strategies Assign Resources |
| Mobility Analyst | Construction Traffic Mitigation | Assess Alternative Strategies |
| Scoping Engineer | Project Profile | Refine Solutions |
| Program Engineer | Prioritization List by Program | Assign Resources |
| Design Engineer | Pre-Engineering | Identify Needs Assess Alternative Strategies Assign Resources |
| Context and Modal Accommodation Report | Identify Needs | |
| Basis of Design Form | Identify Needs | |
| Performance Analyst | Performance Evaluation or Report | Monitor Post-Implementation Performance |
| Maintenance Superintendent | City Streets as State Highways Agreement | Identify Needs Assess Alternative Strategies Refine Solutions Assign Resources |