Research: Administrative and Planning Research Projects

Project Development Improvement and Streamlining: Assessing the Effectiveness of Process Improvements in Consultant Management
(RP 06-16)

Over the past fifteen years the GDOT has developed a partnership with the private sector in the area of engineering design. Where GDOT used to do all engineering design for transportation systems in-house, now roughly 70% of the design is contracted out to the private sector engineering firms (who are referred to as consultants). GDOT has initiated numerous changes to procedures and organizational structure in an effort to manage the increase in consultant contracts. The primary purpose of this study is to assess the impacts of these improvements on the quality of information available to GDOT managers. The secondary purpose of the study is to develop a proof of concept for tools facilitating the management of contracts. This study is comprised of three key tasks.

Task 1: Cost Proposals and Man-Hour Estimates

We are examining the quality of the information captured in the new cost proposal forms and determine if the form serves as a stable base for man-hour estimates. As part of this work we are developing a searchable database that will allow for assessing man-hour and cost estimates by project, project phase, and project discipline.

Task 2: Changes in Tacit Knowledge of Contracts and Contracting

This portion of the study examines the extent to which knowledge about contracts and contracting is maintained as tacit knowledge held by individual staff and project managers. To assess this we have conducted two surveys: 1) of GDOT managers engaged in consultant management; and 2) private sector project managers for GDOT contracts. Both surveys are aimed at understanding how much of project management practices are captured by GDOT management systems and how much is retained as tacit knowledge by individual managers.

Task 3: Knowledge of Prime and Subcontractor Relations

As GDOT has increased the amount of work performed by consultants it has also increased the network of consultants with whom it has engaged. Building from GDOT databases of prime and subcontract awards we are attempting to develop a visualization tool that will assist GDOT managers in understanding and displaying contractual relationships with the consultant community. This will allow GDOT to have a visual display of network maps that detail the number of projects and the amount of funds going to companies as either a prime consultant or sub-consultant.

For more information, please contact (1) Dr. Gordon Kingsley, Georgia Tech, at 404-894-0454; or (2) Rick Deaver, P.E., Georgia DOT, at 404-363-7584. 

Congestion Pricing Projections  (RP 06-15)

Comprehensive evaluation of public perceptions and acceptability of potential congestion-pricing implementation and deployment strategies for the metropolitan Atlanta area.  The project will help GDOT in the siting, evaluation, and implementation of future pricing strategies.

For more information, please contact Rick Deaver at 404-363-7584.