Better Roads

Applications & Innovations Identify key problems you faced last winter and assemble teams that can assess them and develop solutions to avoid or overcome them this time around. coat of paint, or at least clean out the cobwebs and dust. It's amazing what this does to employee's attitudes. Improve Processes and Efficiency Once you've prepared a plan for the training and development of staff, address the maintenance of hard assets, the next priority should be building institutional knowledge of best practices. Identify key problems you faced last winter and assemble teams that can assess them and develop solutions to avoid or overcome them this time around. The teams should include a cross section of people: those close to the situation; some who aren't close to it, but who have insight or perspective; senior people who can bring experience to the table; and less-experienced people who can bring energy and naiveté. Without placing blame, clearly state the problem and its impact, discuss root causes, and work to develop solutions or ways to avoid the problem in the future. Document the results and share them broadly throughout the organization. While the winter months may provide a respite from the busy construction and maintenance season, they also provide highway maintenance organizations the chance to focus on training employees, improving the efficiency of hard assets, and building organizational knowledge. So this winter, take the time to develop a plan to capitalize on that opportunity. v Brian Moore is principal with FMI, leading construction industry management consultants, focusing on contractors and construction materials producers. He also specializes in the identification of future construction trends, market conditions and competitive issues that impact strategic decisions. Contact (919) 785-9269, or bmoore@fminet.com. SealMaster_BR0313pg15.indd 1 A&I_BR0813.indd 23 Text INFO to 205-289-3789 or visit www.betterroads.com/info Better Roads August 2013 23 2/26/13 6:58 PM 8/1/13 9:49 AM

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• BETTER Bridges: Big River Bridges Getting Smarter: The four bridges that span the Mississippi River to join Mississippi to Arkansas and Louisiana are getting major Intelligent Technology System upgrades to make them safer and to improve traffic management
• ROADSCIENCE: A Good, Long Life: In Part IV of our series Building Roads that Won't Fail, Tom Kuennen looks at some of the tools that civil engineers can use to design pavements that keep performing as they should over the longest time possible. Such thin
• APPLICATIONS & INNOVATIONS: Managing Winter: It's year-round job, but now is one of the most important periods in making sure your winter months will be safe and productive. FMI's Brian Moore says managers now should be focused on a few key areas that can
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