MINUTES

Program Management & Quality (PM&Q) Task Force Meeting

Thursday, December 11, 2014

11:00 a.m. – noon EST

ATTENDEES

Members: David Jared (Chair); Hafiz Munir; Megan Swanson; Dave Huft; Ned Parrish (Secretary)

Friends: Barbara Harder, Gary Hook, Skip Paul, Juan Pava, Sue Sillick

REVIEW OF TASK FORCE ACTIVITIES

Implementation of NCHRP Products (Bonini/Jared)

Pat Casey of CTC & Associates spoke to SCOR last week re: the findings of NCHRP 20-44P, a study that CTC led on this topic. SCOR plans to further discuss the report and recommendations. David will share the information on how to access this report once available.

Coordination of Website Development Activities (Nantung)

Tommy Nantung could not attend but sent an update to David. Tommy’s suggestions for improving the TPF website have been implemented, and a webinar on the TPF program is to be held on December 15. RPM website funding is still under discussion. It is not clear whether TRB will continue to fund it.

Sue indicated that RPPM website migration is complete and that she is working with various people to transfer information to it. Barbara added that the site materials are under review to ensure that they’re relevant and current. The goal is to roll RPPM out by the TRB Annual Meeting in January. David mentioned that the Research Implementation Facilitators Group is also moving forward with providing implementation information on the website. Sue is working with Linda Narigon (Iowa DOT) re: implementation documentation currently on the Iowa DOT site to ensure its suitability for RPPM then it too will be migrated to the RPPM.

Intellectual Property (Jared/Harder)

Barbara shared that there is a great line up of speakers for a TRB workshop on intellectual property (IP): January 11, 9:00 a.m. – noon; Convention Center 151B. Barbara listed the speakers and topics, which will include an overview, copyright fair use, IP best practices, and practitioners’ point of view. Participants will do a group exercise to outline an IP roadmap with a goal of leaving the workshop with an action plan for what they should look at in their agencies. Barbara solicited volunteers to assist with the workshop as facilitators at the breakout tables. David will definitely help and Ned may help. Barbara will touch base with David later on some other issues.She is hopeful that we will be able to keep moving this process forward and document outcomes of what meeting attendees learn.

Research Problem Identification Practices (Pietrucha)

No update. Marty is continuing to work on the academic survey to complete this effort.

National Activities

  • Ahead of the Curve Training Program (Bonini/Harder). The session will be held Thursday, January 15 (8 a.m. –noon). Skip and Barbara will be helping with that. Barbara and Cynthia Gerst will co-lead the session. There will be a discussion of a pilot session and the opportunity to give feedback on the course content.
  • Peer Exchange Review/Successes (Jared/Harder). This effort may now be funded by a proposed NCHRP project covering ongoing RAC activities. David will follow up with Chris Hedges on this.

POSSIBLE, NEW INITIATIVES

Assistance with New SCOR Strategic PlanElements

Skip provided an update on the fall SCOR meeting in Irvine, CA, on Dec. 3-4. SCOR discussed where they fit in the new AASHTO strategic plan. There will be implications for RAC and SCOR, and the RAC task forces may be asked to assist in revising the SCOR strategic plan in accordance with the AASHTO strategic plan.

Developing Recommendations re: Staffing Levels and Skills Needed for Successful Research Programs

This effort could possibly be funded with the NCHRP problem statement mentioned above. There is a heavy burden on the RAC task forces, and this project, if funded, may be able to help lighten that load.

TRB ANNUAL MEETING

The AASHTO-RAC meeting will be held at the Marriott Marquis on Sunday, January 11 (6:00 - 8:30p.m.). Conduct of Research Committee will meet Monday, January 12 (8:00 a.m. – noon).

A session on the e-circular specification for literature reviews (Session 395) will be held Monday, January 12 (3:45 – 5:15 p.m.) Barbara and Sue suggested that PM&Q might play a role in getting information about the e-circular out (e.g. holding a webinar).

Sue and Barbara indicated that information about meetings of PM&Q and other AASHTO RAC task forces will soon be available on a calendar on RPPM.transportation.org.

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