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 Plan Elements
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 8:30 p.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.
2015 Task Force Conference Call Dates
(all times 11 – noon EST; phone 404.631.1009)
March 12
June 11
September 10
December 10
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