Helping transport professionals fast track their success
We’ve all seen it. The piece of infrastructure that looks perfect on paper, wins design awards, and yet… nobody uses it. In my new book, Set Strategic Direction, I call this the “Ghost Bridge” problem. Consider this scenario: A city council funds a multi-million dollar pedestrian and cycle bridge over a major highway. The engineering … Read more
A vision without a logic model is just a poster. Logic models help transport professionals and planners visually map the relationships between resources, activities, and results. They are particularly useful for translating strategy into delivery, aligning teams, and clarifying assumptions. 1. What is a Logic Model? A logic model is a structured diagram that links: … Read more
Policy provides the ‘why’ while strategy defines the ‘what.’ Your task is to bridge that gap. Policy statements often use broad, aspirational language. While inspirational, such statements can pose challenges when planning specific actions. Whether you are developing a regional strategy, local transport plan, or business case, your initial task is to align your efforts … Read more
If you can’t measure it or move it, it’s not an objective; it’s wishful thinking. The SMART Approach and Beyond Once strategic intents are clear, the next step is to define transport objectives that guide actions, allocate resources, and set the stage for monitoring progress. However, not all objectives are created equal. Poorly written objectives … Read more
A Deep Dive into Demographics, Economics, and Technology This discussion explores the key factors driving transport demand, focusing on the interplay between demographic shifts (population growth, aging, urbanisation), economic conditions (growth, employment patterns, globalisation), and technological advancements (electric vehicles, smart solutions, shared mobility). It highlights how these interconnected forces shape travel patterns and proposes strategies for transport planners to adapt to … Read more
The best strategy is worthless without effective execution, and the best execution is directionless without a sound strategy. Strategy Spotlight: The Three Horizons Framework A practical approach to managing transport initiatives across different time frames: This excerpt from Addressing Transport Challenges focuses on the strategy and concepts behind creating effective transport policies. The chapter explains that … Read more
“The best way to predict the future is to create it.” – Peter Drucker Strategic Planning: The Cornerstone of Transport Solutions In an era of rapid urbanization, climate change, and technological disruption, strategic planning has become the cornerstone of effective transport solutions. Far from being a mere bureaucratic exercise, well-executed strategic planning can be the … Read more
Urban transport systems are the lifeblood of cities, facilitating the movement of people and goods, connecting communities, and driving economic growth. In the face of burgeoning populations and rising urbanisation, managing these systems efficiently is a daunting task for city planners and policymakers. Without strategic planning, cities can become paralysed by gridlock, where the sheer … Read more
Transforming the transport sector encompasses a comprehensive strategy encompassing the evolution of systems, policy frameworks, and innovations in technology. As urban populations grow and environmental concerns take centre stage, the drive for sustainable transport solutions becomes even more critical. This approach aims to increase efficiency and integrate intelligent systems, while simultaneously prioritising community needs. Key … Read more
Have you ever thought about what it means to think strategically? Does it mean to create strategies like in a war? Is it a skill you are born with or something you learn? Strategic thinking seems like a vague buzzword that senior management tosses around to sound important. Actually, strategic thinking is a skill we … Read more