Improving public works operations and management through establishment of nationally recognized practices

Abstract

Public works agencies are under increasing pressure to be more accountable for effective operation and management of public infrastructure and the services related thereto. In the United States and Canada, the American Public Works Association (APWA) has developed over 400 recommended management practice principles that address virtually every aspect of public works. APWA has now published the third edition of the Public Works Management Practices Manual and has developed a self-assessment methodology by which public works agencies can document their existing practices against the nationally recognized policies, practices and procedures. Across the United States and Canada, hundreds of public works agencies are engaged in evaluation of their operations and management against the recommended practices in the Management Practices Manual. Many of these agencies have also committed to becoming accredited by APWA. The self-assessment process provides a systematic approach to evaluating both management and technical aspects of providing infrastructure services necessary to support urban and rural communities. Most agencies conducting these self-assessments find that the process of systematically reviewing every policy, practice and procedure is very beneficial. Often, areas of duplication or gaps are identified and immediately corrected. Agencies frequently find that there are conflicting interpretations about an agency's official policy. Differences between printed policies and actual practice are frequently identified and can be easily rectified. Operational personnel are frequently invited to participate in redefining what an agency handles and how it handles the day-to-day issues. Some managers have likened the process to the ISO 9000 process of certifying quality assurance. The self-assessment process does provide a mechanism for continuous improvement through the accreditation process, which requires re-evaluation every three years.