Strategies for Implementing Performance Specifications: Guide for Executives and Project Managers (2013) / Chapter Skim
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Pages 14-27
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From page 14... ...
13 Unless an agency actively uses alternative project delivery methods such as design-build, its policies, procedures, and organizational structure will likely bear the imprint of years of near-exclusive use of method specifi cations implemented under the traditional designbid-build delivery system. Over the years, this approach has provided taxpayers with an adequate, safe, and effi cient transportation facility at the lowest initial price that responsible, competitive bidders can offer.
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14 STRATEGIES FOR IMPLEMENTING PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS: GUIDE FOR EXECUTIVES AND PROJECT MANAGERS Much of the institutional knowledge that allows the traditional system to flourish will not directly transfer to the implementation of performance specifications. Performance specifications require different skills, processes, and management and coordination efforts for implementation to be successful.
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15 STRATEGIES FOR IMPLEMENTING PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS: GUIDE FOR EXECUTIVES AND PROJECT MANAGERS Early Project Development Deciding to Use Performance Specifications Incorporating performance specifications into an agency's contracting toolbox requires modification of the agency's traditional project planning and scoping efforts to include an evaluation of whether or not to use performance specifications. To the extent possible, this decision should occur early enough in the project development process to preclude the need for a substantial de-engineering effort if performance specifications are to be used.
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16 STRATEGIES FOR IMPLEMENTING PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS: GUIDE FOR EXECUTIVES AND PROJECT MANAGERS Identifying Project Goals Understanding user needs and communicating clear and concise project goals are critical to the success of any project. Given the nature of performance specifications, articula tion of needs and goals takes on even greater importance because they set the foundation for the entire project development process.
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17 STRATEGIES FOR IMPLEMENTING PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS: GUIDE FOR EXECUTIVES AND PROJECT MANAGERS in Framework for Developing Performance Specifications. The effort will likely require dedicated resources, beyond those typically required to develop conventional specifications, to collect and analyze systemwide performance data for use in setting performance target values and thresholds.
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18 STRATEGIES FOR IMPLEMENTING PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS: GUIDE FOR EXECUTIVES AND PROJECT MANAGERS the degree of risk assumed by the contractor for performance of the work. Too much oversight by agency personnel could shift significant risk back to the agency, as well as add time and inefficiency to the project -- contradicting the goals of rapid renewal; too little oversight could compromise safety and performance.
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19 STRATEGIES FOR IMPLEMENTING PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS: GUIDE FOR EXECUTIVES AND PROJECT MANAGERS Best Practice in Construction QA: Michigan's Construction Quality Partnership In 2004, the Michigan transportation construction industry, in partnership with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) , Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
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20 STRATEGIES FOR IMPLEMENTING PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS: GUIDE FOR EXECUTIVES AND PROJECT MANAGERS Postconstruction Performance Monitoring for Warranties and Operation-Maintenance Agreements Implementing performance specifications that assign postconstruction responsibility to the contractor (e.g., through warranties or maintenance agreements) does not diminish the agency's responsibility to the public to provide a highway facility that performs to the desired level of service.
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21 STRATEGIES FOR IMPLEMENTING PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS: GUIDE FOR EXECUTIVES AND PROJECT MANAGERS contractor compliance throughout the contract period. To help streamline the collection and analysis of performance data, the agency should consider initially applying the same approach (e.g., similar performance parameters and data collection methods)
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22 STRATEGIES FOR IMPLEMENTING PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS: GUIDE FOR EXECUTIVES AND PROJECT MANAGERS Establish the Need Strong endorsement from upper management can help garner broad employee support for the changes needed to fully deploy performance specifications on a programmatic level. To gain such support, best practice suggests first establishing the specific rationale as to why performance specifications represent a necessary addition to an agency's contracting toolbox.
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23 STRATEGIES FOR IMPLEMENTING PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS: GUIDE FOR EXECUTIVES AND PROJECT MANAGERS TABLE 2.1. NECESSARY ACTIONS AND POTENTIAL PITFALLS IN IMPLEMENTING PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS Step Actions Potential Pitfalls Establish the need.
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24 STRATEGIES FOR IMPLEMENTING PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS: GUIDE FOR EXECUTIVES AND PROJECT MANAGERS Today, the United Kingdom (UK) Highways Agency is a leader in the use of performance specifications and alternative contracting strategies that place more responsibility for quality and performance on industry.
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25 STRATEGIES FOR IMPLEMENTING PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS: GUIDE FOR EXECUTIVES AND PROJECT MANAGERS alternative delivery office) to develop staff experience and provide leadership and support related to nontraditional contracting practices.
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From page 27... ...
26 STRATEGIES FOR IMPLEMENTING PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS: GUIDE FOR EXECUTIVES AND PROJECT MANAGERS Time also may be needed for the benefits of performance specifying to become apparent. Initially, the agency may receive higher bid pricing because of contractor uncertainty regarding the risks involved.
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