Highway and Public Works Department Self-Assessment
Benefits of Highway/Public Works Department Self-Assessment
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Self-assessment is a systematic review of management and operations policies and practices. It enables department managers to compare their policies, procedures, and practices to those of successful departments. A nationwide committee of public works officials has developed a self-assessment model. In the Public Works Management Manual, they list the benefits of applying the model: Those benefits are shown in the box above.
Department managers can achieve these benefits by applying self-assessment to specific functions. They can identify strengths and deficiencies, and then use their strengths to improve deficiencies. For example, if they have a clear policy for training crewmembers, they can adopt practices to improve individual’s knowledge and/or skills. If they have sound procedures to identify maintenance needs and solutions, they can prepare and justify increased budgets.
By involving staff and crews in the self-assessment process, a department can improve internal communications. By involving other municipal officials and the public, it can improve external communications.
The City of Dover Department of Community Services has undertaken department-wide self-assessment. Their experiences will be highlighted in a Compensation Funds of New Hampshire (CFNH) workshop on October 8. The workshop will introduce self-assessment to selectmen, road agents, public works directors, and other town officials. Drawing on participants’ responses, the UNH Tē Center and CFNH, among others, will help departments apply self-assessment.
Sources
Ross, Dennis ed. 1996. Public Works Management Practices, 2nd ed. Kansas City MO: American Public Works Association.
Return to UNH T2 Center, 33 College Road, Durham NH 03824 603-862-2826 Fax 603-862-2364