Working Together to Improve the Decision Making Process 2013 WTBA/WisDOT Contractor-Engineer Conference January 31, 2013

Overview Improving project decision making and relationships between contractors, consultants and DOT on construction projects is WisDOT priority New evaluation process Construction Materials Support Center conducts survey January 2013

Contractor Evaluation of Project Team Project Team Evaluation of Contractor Project Communication Enhancement Effort (PCEE)

Contractor Evaluation of Project Team Revamped evaluation form to obtain specific information Positive, objective feedback Valued results

Project Team Evaluation of Contractor Address past inconsistencies in responses Industry needs candid feedback This constructive feedback can be used to improve project staff and crews

Project Communication Enhancement Effort (PCEE) 2006 – began discussion. Resulted in developing select tools to enhance communication and working relationships Tools developed, not mandatory and not fully embraced Spring board for 2013 survey to review tools and to obtain information on overall project level decision-making

489 Responses 489 Responses Timely Decision Making Survey

Timely decision making is a problem that needs to be addressed

Satisfaction with timeliness of decisions Satisfaction with timeliness of decisions Timely Decision Making Survey

Relationships that could/should be improved to facilitate timely decisions Relationships that could/should be improved to facilitate timely decisions Timely Decision Making Survey

Types of decisions that are the most problematic: 1.Processing of contract modifications 2.Ability to have decisions reviewed by others of higher authority 3.Non conformance of materials issues 4.Field changed conditions 5.Non performance of QMP issues

Communication tools identified by survey for improvement effort: 1.Rolling 3-Week Look-Ahead Schedule 2.Designated materials contact person 3.Line of communication/decision timeline form 4.Progress meeting with standardized note format and responsible parties identified 5.Request For Information (RFI) process 6.Preconstruction meeting with standardized agenda

Next Steps Workgroup to fully review survey results and recommend solutions for implementation this construction season DTSD Administration will attend all Regional Construction Conferences this spring Resurvey 2014 to ensure progress