Organizational Sustainability Creating an Accountable Manager Certification Program to Transfer Critical Knowledge and Improve Capital Program Delivery Performance WEFTEC 2015 Aimee Edwards, NYC Environmental Protection Bridget Kundmueller, NYC Environmental Protection Susan Reisbord, GHD Seth Yoskowitz, GHD
Today s Presentation About NYC Environmental Protection Agency Mission, Vision and Values Current State of the Workforce Workforce Development Strategic Focus and Objectives Key Focus Area BEDC Accountable Manager Certification Workforce Sustainability Next Steps 2
The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) protects public health and the environment by supplying clean drinking water, collecting and treating wastewater, and reducing air, noise, and hazardous materials pollution. DEP is the largest combined municipal water and wastewater utility in the country, with nearly 6,000 employees. We deliver 1.1 billion gallons of high quality drinking water per day to 8.3 million New York City residents and more than 1 million people in upstate New York, and we collect and treat an average of 1.3 billion gallons of wastewater per day. 3
19 reservoirs 3 lakes 6,000 miles of water mains, tunnels and aqueducts 7,500 miles of sewer pipe 14 water pollution control plants 96 wastewater pumping stations 8 dewatering facilities 4
Agency Mission & Vision Vision. To be the safest, most efficient, cost-effective, resilient, and transparent water utility in the nation. Mission. To protect public health and the environment by supplying clean drinking water, collecting and treating wastewater, and reducing air, noise, and hazardous materials pollution.
Our Values Our values describe how we become the best utility in the nation. Safety Service Support Transparency Sustainability Innovation
Current State of DEP s Workforce Advantages / Opportunities Knowledgeable and Experienced People Diverse Makeup of Talent Challenging, Innovative Projects Strong Leadership Pockets of Growing Interest in the Call to Public Service Issues / Challenges Changing Technology Greater Demand for Accurate Forecasting Multi-Generational Workforce and Different Baby Boomer, Gen X, Gen Y, Millennials Perspectives Competing with Private Industry in Recruitment and Retention Growing Attrition Rate 7
Current State of DEP s Workforce DEP attrition trends demonstrate potential staffing challenges within the near future. More than 27% of the agency s managers are currently eligible to retire. Within the next five years that number will increase to 42%, and to 55% in ten years. 2015 2020 2025 Retirement Eligible 27% 42% 55% 8
Workforce Development Focuses on Our People Develop clear career paths Create opportunities for advancement Provide staff training Strategic project assignments to build skills Build culture of managers as mentors Emphasis on performance management 9
Our goal is to become the best Capital Program Delivery organization in the US. 10
Accountable Management The Bureau of Engineering Design and Construction (BEDC) manages the design and construction of DEP s Capital Construction Program As of 2014, over $9 billion under construction As of 2014, another $9 billion in the capital plan Asst. or Deputy Commissioner Portfolio Manager Accountable Manager At BEDC Project Managers are called Accountable Managers to reflect the importance of the role and highly the critical nature of delivering capital projects effectively There are approximately 120 Accountable Managers at DEP Accountable Managers manage a set of individual projects and report to a Portfolio Manager BEDC PMO Risk Manager Technical Experts Project Team Members 11
BEDC s Accountable Management Culture What (Product) Do the Right Thing Scope & Deliverables On time, on budget, and within quality parameters Why (Purpose) Have Meaningful Dreams Strategy & Values Vision, mission, strategy, and objectives How (Process) Do Things Right Plan & Control Work procedure, method, execute coordination and control Who (People) Use the Right People Stakeholders & Resources Organizational structure, roles and responsibilities, teamwork, and leadership 12
Accountable Manager Certification Program Purpose: To review and reinforce the essential project management requirements of project delivery within NYC Environmental Protection s Capital Program 15-day training and education curriculum delivered over an ~18 month period Focusing on the immediately relevant issues, concerns and challenges facing BEDC s Accountable Managers Increase on-time, on-budget, on-quality project delivery Facilitated by BEDC s own subject matter experts, with course material design and development support from the consultant Emphasizing adult learning techniques, with real-life examples drawn from BEDC s own project delivery history Accountable Mgr Knowledge and Skills Development Project Delivery Performance Professional Development Hours (PDHs) are made available 13
Accountable Manager Certification Program Curriculum Day 1: a) Project Delivery System b) Project Planning Day 2: Scope Management Day 3: Budget and Schedule Controls Day 4: Quality Management Day 5: a) EHS Management - Design b) Sustainability Day 6: EHS Management Construction Day 7: Claims Avoidance Day 8: CM Schedule Management Day 9: Risk Management Day 10: Construction SOPs I Day 11: Construction SOPs II Day 12: Permit Management Day 13: Contract Procurement and Management Day 14: Design Commission Day 15: a) Partnering b) Managing Project Teams Topics chosen to address the issues most pressing for successful project delivery, most impactful to enhance Accountable Managers capabilities, and most common as sources of project delivery challenge 14
Courses are Facilitated by BEDC s Own Internal Subject Matter Experts High credibility Achieve knowledge transfer through BEDC s own project history Use of DEP terminology Focused on areas of key known improvement needs 15
Highly Interactive Training Modules Emphasizing BEDC Real-Life Examples 16
Highly Interactive Training Modules Emphasizing BEDC Real-Life Examples Class size limited to ~22 attendees to maximize interaction, discussion, story telling, and participation Each course is delivered six times to enable the entire 120 person Accountable Manager population to attend Each course is held in three locations to provide easier access for BEDC staff who are spread across the watershed geography 17
Participants are Accountable for Their Learning Successful course completion is now a critical part of Accountable Manager career development Each course day is concluded with a test that must be passed Successful passing of all tests is required to achieve Accountable Manager Certification Improved project delivery performance is expected 18
Initial Results Course participant surveys distributed after each course Participant feedback also solicited informally to identify more nuanced information 97% report the overall course quality to be Good or Excellent Participants report being able to apply course information immediately to their projects # of Respondents 100 80 60 40 20 0 0% 3% 45% 52% Rating for Overall Course Quality 19
DEP Workforce Sustainability Next Steps Rollout of Succession Planning Initiative o Critical Positions/Roles Identification o Competency Modeling o Skills Gap Analysis Skills Development Training Series o Technical / Trades o Management and Leadership o Professional and Career Development o Knowledge Transfer Engagement / Employee Morale o Increased Communication o Wellness Programs o Networking Events o Recognition Programs 20
Vision for DEP Workforce Sustainability Skilled, capable and trained staff who are excellent stewards of NYC funds and resources 21
Thank You! Questions? Aimee Edwards, NYC Environmental Protection (AimeeE@dep.nyc.gov) Seth Yoskowitz, GHD (seth.yoskowitz@ghd.com)