Organizing for TSMO
Case Study 1: Business Processes – Optimizing Existing Planning and Implementation Processes with TSMO

Chapter 3 - Summary

Business processes define the formal organizational processes needed to successfully execute a transportation systems management and operations (TSMO) program. They provide concise guidance on how TSMO should be conducted throughout an agency such as project planning, development, implementation, budgeting, and scoping. Business processes can also include administrative strategies, budgeting for additional staff, contract procurement, and more. Agencies highlighted in this case study have developed business processes to support development of their respective TSMO programs. Some of the best practices identified in this case study include:

• Integrating TSMO strategies into existing transportation planning efforts enables agencies to make cost-efficient, data-driven investments for infrastructure planning efforts. TSMO strategies can often be implemented in the short-term, allowing agencies to maximize existing infrastructure and reserve funds for other long-term improvements.
• Planning to deploy TSMO strategies is successful when funding constraints are identified and resolved early in the planning process. When agencies plan TSMO strategies into available funding mechanisms, deployment is realized sooner than traditional transportation planning efforts.
• TSMO processes do not always need to be generated from a base level. Frequently, many agency processes are in place to support TSMO activities. Revising existing processes to align with regional TSMO goals and objectives will ensure that TSMO is incorporated in agency-wide processes.
• Task-specific priorities enable agencies to track progress, identify areas for growth, and celebrate successes. Developing processes for implementation is helpful to ensure the agency matures its TSMO program by systemically defining how and when achievements will be made to elevate TSMO processes in the agency or region.

Agencies planning to begin development of their own TSMO program or activities should identify which processes will integrate best with their existing capabilities and procedures. The best practices highlighted in this case study can be used as a resource to identify opportunities to establish TSMO business processes in developing TSMO programs nationally.