Core Competencies

As previously mentioned in Chapter I, Background, the Report of the One-DOT Task Force on Oversight of Large Transportation Infrastructure Projects recommended the establishment of core competencies and the development of training materials and providers for all Major Project Oversight Managers (Recommendation B.2). The recommendation stressed the need for Oversight Managers to possess the necessary project management and financial skills coming into the position in order to effectively manage, administer, and protect the Federal investment in the Major project. A working group was therefore established in December 2001 to identify the Major Project Oversight Manager core competencies and develop a competency framework for the discipline. The competency framework has now been completed, with the final version sent out by Memorandum from the Associate Administrator for Infrastructure to all the Division Administrators on August 20, 2002. The Major Project Oversight Manager competency framework may also be found on the FHWA web page at: http://staffnet.fhwa.dot.gov/opt/training/ccf/majorpro/mprocomp.htm.

The framework includes a matrix indicating the desired proficiency level per grade level for each of the Oversight Manager core technical competencies. The framework also includes a matrix for the desired proficiency level for a few of the most critical professional and business competencies. The full range of professional and business competencies can be found under the "Project Manager" role in the Professional Skills competency framework, located at: http://staffnet.fhwa.dot.gov/opt/training/ccf/profskil.htm. These two frameworks should be used in conjunction with each other when identifying the full range of competencies and proficiency levels required for Major Project Oversight Managers.

Revised: October 2002