Evolving Strategic Management Processes at State and Regional Transportation Agencies

Stuart, Darwin G.; ,

Evolving Strategic Management Processes at State and Regional Transportation Agencies

by Darwin G. Stuart, Chicago Transit Authority, Chicago, IL, USA,

Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Managing Urban Transportation as a Business

Abstract:

Recent progress and accomplishments in strategic planning/management at four transportation agencies: the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, New Jersey Transit Corporation, New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and Chicago Regional Transportation Authority are reviewed. The framework for the review sets out several basic steps in strategic management from a public agency (as opposed to private sector) perspective. These steps include: Analysis of Historical Context (trends, directions, goals); Situational Assessment (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats); Strategic Issues Agenda; Strategic Options (future scenarios, strategic themes, action sets); Feasibility Assessment (resources, internal stakeholders, external stakeholders); and Implementation (marshalling resources, managing stakeholders). The strategic management process (and agency commitment) is at a very different stage at each of the case study agencies. Parallels and contrasts are drawn to indicate that basic strategic planning/management concepts are highly flexible, and must be adapted to the specific circumstances of a given transportation agency.

Return to search