LTAP Peer Exchanges

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LTAP Peer Exchanges

• 2006 TRB Annual Meeting
• Washington, DC
• Session 224
• January 23, 2006

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Why do a peer exchange?
Its good for you!
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What is peer exchange?

• A meeting to discuss and review a centers
  management process and organizational structure.

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What a peer exchange is not.

• A criticism of the technical competence of a
  center or its individual staff members
• A peer review

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History of LTAP Center peer exchanges.

• State DOT research programs
• ISTEA (1991)
• TEA-21 (1997)

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How to conduct a peer exchange.

• OK, so you have decided to do a peer exchange

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How to conduct a peer exchange.

• Principles
• Size (of center) does not matter
• Management process not individuals
• Open, friendly environment
• No one preferred model
• All participants gain insights

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How to conduct a peer exchange

• Peer exchange team
• 3-5 members
• Most should have extensive knowledge of program
• Consider private sector participation
• Provide dedicated note taker

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How to conduct a peer exchange.

• Scheduling the peer exchange
• Center director will be primary contact and
  responsible person
• Coordinate with NLTAPA and clearinghouse

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How to conduct a peer exchange.

• Pre-peer exchange planning
• Director learns peer exchange process
• Team selects issues to examine
• Shares information with team
• work plan, strategic plan, newsletters

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How to conduct a peer exchange.

• Planning continued
• Get staff members ready for the exchange
• Arrange travel plans (host center pays)
• Prepare draft agenda
• Schedule interviews

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How to conduct a peer exchange.

• The peer exchange
• Social dinner
• Opening meeting
• Interviews
• Field visits

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How to conduct a peer exchange.

• The peer exchange continued
• Prepare report summary
• Closeout meeting
• Prepare final report
• Follow-up activities

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How to conduct a peer exchange.

• Additional comments
• The typical peer exchange should take 1-2 days
• Lead time should be 1-2 months
• Average cost is 3-4 thousand

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Contact Information
Lawrence H. Klepner Delaware T² Center 355 DuPont
Hall University of Delaware Newark, DE
19716 Phone [phone] Fax [phone] Email
Lklepner_at_ce.udel.edu