A framework for operationalization of strategic plans and metrics for corporate performance measurement in transportation asset management

This thesis investigated the business processes required to translate corporate-level strategic plans into tactical and operational plans in the context of transportation asset management. The study also developed a framework for effective performance measure for departments of transportation. The thesis was based on a case study of transportation agencies in the U.S.A. and Canada. The scope is therefore limited or more directly applicable to transportation assets such as pavement, bridges and culverts. The goal was to address the problem of translating or managing strategic plans, especially in the context of the public sector responsible for operating transportation infrastructure. It was observed that many agencies have been successful in formulating good strategic plans but they have performed relatively poorly in translating such corporate-level strategic plans into operational activities.;A questionnaire survey was designed and targeted about 30 state agencies that are currently active in transportation asset management. Twenty one (21) transportation agencies in the USA and Canada responded to the questionnaire. The analysis of the questionnaire data showed that there is a lack of a standard approach to managing corporate strategic plans in transportation agencies. The results also indicated that most transportation agencies operate in three organizational levels but there was no systematic approach of translating goal and objectives from high level to lower levels. Approaches in performance measurement were found to vary from agency to agency. A number of limitations were identified in the existing practice on performance measurements. Key weaknesses include the large number of measures in use (as many as 25 or more), and the disconnection between the measures used and the corporate goals and objectives.;Lessons from the private sector were thoroughly reviewed in order to build the groundwork for adapting existing tools to the public sector. The existing literature, assumptions and characteristics that make the Balanced Scorecards and strategy maps work effectively in the private sector were identified. Gaps in implementation of strategic plans and the use of Balanced Scorecard in the public sector were derived. Although Balanced Scorecards have previously been used to a limited extent in transportation agencies, the use of combined Balanced Scorecards and strategy maps with a much broader utility of translating strategic plans into tactical and operational activities for Transportation Asset Management is yet to be established.;The thesis presents a framework to operationalize strategic plans through the combined application of Balanced Scorecards and strategy maps. The proposed framework aligns overarching objectives in all organizational levels: corporate, tactical, and operation, in which detail information is delegated from top level to lower levels.;Furthermore, the thesis presents a proposed framework for developing and using effective corporate performance measures. The framework for performance measures provides a key tool for tracking progress and ensuring overall operationalization of strategic plans in transportation agencies. The thesis presents a methodology to assess existing performance measures so that agencies can reduce the number of measures, to be more effective and manageable. It was found that among other good characteristics, corporate performance measures must be tied to agency's goals and objectives and must be sensitive or responsive to program delivery activities and to the impacts of decisions about resource allocation.