Helping transport professionals fast track their success
Phil Charles 
Selecting the most appropriate intervention or option to address a transport challenge is the next step after defining the problem, determining the strategy and desired outcomes and analysing the challenges. Usually, there is more than one way to address any transport challenge. Different options have unique contributions, key stakeholders, resourcing and risk profiles. A package … Read more
Analysis of transport challenges means identifying and describing the specific problem or problems being faced and getting an understanding of the underlying cause-and-effect relationships. Avoid Mistakes The article “How can you avoid transport policy mistakes?” discussed some of the key mistakes that transport professionals experience when solving complex challenges: Problem-Solution Thinking Forgetting key stakeholder perspectives … Read more
Let us start with defining strategy. What is strategy? A strategy is a longer term direction to achieve a particular goal. For example, the vision for road safety is ‘No person should be killed or seriously injured on Australia’s roads’ and the strategy to achieve that includes ‘adopting the safe system approach – safe roads, safe speeds, safe … Read more
Being able to thoughtfully define a transport problem is key to success. Don’t fall into the trap many professionals do by jumping to a solution, without fully understanding what the problem really is. Before a transport solution can be developed to tackle a pressing issue, the problem must be carefully defined and scoped. Transport problems are seldom … Read more
Let’s start with quantitative analysis like benefit-cost analysis (BCA) – there is a lot of experience behind this quantitative approach and is supported, mandated even, by central funding agencies, particularly Treasury departments. So, let me start with BCA. This method is only as good as the data behind the analysis, which usually depends on demand … Read more
Much of a professional’s day-to-day work involves delivering projects. When you think of project management, many people tend to picture teams in large organisations working on large-scale projects. Many of your smaller tasks are actually projects as well. It can be disastrous to mistake a project for regular work. According to the Project Management Institute … Read more
So, you want to get your projects delivered more efficiently and effectively? Here is the first step toward achieving that goal. Understand the keys to success in delivering results. Most professionals are managing projects covertly – and doing so by the seat of their pants! Between 60-80 per cent of a professional’s time is project … Read more
Delivering major transport projects is very challenging – with long planning horizons, complex interfaces, multiple stakeholders and the potential for major scope changes. Poor project management results in overruns and delays, poor quality outputs, and higher costs. There is increasing pressure for well-planned and delivered transport projects that meet agreed time, cost and quality requirements. … Read more
Are you a professional that skips from task to task at work without focus? Or do you spend a significant amount of time without getting to today’s most important task? Keep reading to learn the seven things you could be doing to improve your focus and productivity. 1. Use The ‘Touch It Once’ Rule When … Read more
Much of the work of transport professionals involves delivering projects. Setting up the foundation is key to success – whether a planning project or business case or a technical or infrastructure delivery project. I’ve been thinking about what transport will look like in the ‘new’ normal – whenever and whatever that looks like. Currently, the traffic … Read more