Workforce Optimization Workbook for Transportation Construction Projects (2020)

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1 State transportation agencies are increasingly tasked with doing more with less in managing highway transportation networks. NCHRP Synthesis 450: Forecasting Highway Construction Staffing Requirements found that state-managed lane miles increased by an average of 4.10% between 2000 and 2010, while the number of full-time-equivalent staff available to manage these lane miles decreased by 9.7% (Taylor and Maloney 2013). During this time, full-time-equivalent staff for managing the highway system per million dollars of disbursement on capital outlay decreased by an average of 37.3%. The overall objective of this project, NCHRP Project 20-107, was to develop guidance for construction staffing for managing the nation’s transportation network. The achievement of this objective was based on a literature review, staffing strategy case studies (seven states), staff forecasting methods (10 states), project survey results (305 projects across 16 states), and a guidance validation workshop (22 participants across 14 states). The results of this research are presented in NCHRP Research Report 923: Workforce Optimization Workbook for Transportation Construction Projects (whose content is summarized in Table S-1) and in the associated e-Workforce Optimization Workbook (e-WOW) spreadsheet and User Guide, which can be found at www.TRB.org by searching for “NCHRP Research Report 923.” NCHRP Research Report 923: • Provides staffing-level suggestions based on project type, work-type risk projections, and consultant construction and engineering inspection staff. • Provides methods for planning project staffing allocation at the project-specific and district level. • Identifies current contracting methods and associated staffing used by transportation agencies. • Identifies 35 specific staffing strategies that may help alleviate construction staff challenges. These strategies are linked by work type and staffing function to assist agency personnel in selecting specific strategies. • Identifies the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for construction oversight staff based on construction administration, engineering, inspection, and human resources. S U M M A R Y Workforce Optimization Workbook for Transportation Construction Projects

2 Workforce Optimization Workbook for Transportation Construction Projects NCHRP Project 20-107 Objectives Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Appendix Introduction (Construction Staffing Challenges) Construction Staffing Positions Risk-Based Work Types Construction Staffing Strategy Matrix The Electronic Workforce Optimization Workbook Construction Staffing Strategies (1) Identify current contracting methods (2) Identify staffing strategies (3) Identify skills, knowledge, and so forth for staff (4) Identify best practices for project oversite Table S-1. Content of the Workforce Optimization Workbook.