Discipline-based Learning Activities
In 2020, the Knowledge Management unit continued and expanded its development of innovative discipline-based learning activities. KM helped lead the Discipline Council through a permanent co-chair seat, and managed the PMA discipline seminar in January 2020. Although the 109-person PMA seminar was the only in-person seminar held in 2020, KM's insight into virtual learning practices proved essential through the rest of the year. In addition to developing a five-part virtual learning toolbox for all disciplines, KM partnered with several FHWA offices on key discipline-specific learning activities. Thanks to KM's support, discipline learning continued in earnest throughout 2020. A few highlights are below.
Civil Rights Refresher
The Civil Rights Refresher is schedule to launch in early 2021.
The KM unit partnered with the Office of Civil Rights and the Resource Center’s Civil Rights technical service team to design a virtual refresher for field leadership. The Civil Rights Refresher was piloted in June 2020. This virtual delivery combines a variety of live and recorded learning techniques to provide both self-paced and interactive learning opportunities across six modules. The goal is to provide a refresher on common and/or potentially critical civil rights challenges, and to ensure that the latest updates on civil rights focus areas are readily available. The refresher will help field leadership identify when they should redirect critical issues to the Office of Civil Rights.
Feedback on the pilot was overwhelmingly positive. The refresher helps upskill participants with on-demand trainings, targeted interviews, quick lectures from experts, and resources that culminate in live Q&A sessions. The live sessions and on-demand trainings were insightful and delivered in a clear and easily digestible format. Participants described the refresher as “very innovative and different than any other program” and touted its “design to enhance their overall jobs and involvement, not just with Civil Rights.” Learner outcomes indicated 100 percent of pilot respondents felt they were more prepared to handle critical civil rights issues after completing the Civil Rights Refresher. All pilot respondents also noted their partnership with the Office of Civil Rights was strengthened as a direct result of the program.
The program is geared to Division Administrators and Deputy Division Administrators, and others are expected to benefit from it as well. The formal program is set to launch in early 2021.
Navigator Mid-Career Hire Onboarding Program
When mid-career hires join FHWA, they often come with extensive technical expertise, but would benefit from structured information about how to find their way around the agency and get connected within their discipline. KM created the Navigator program to help new mid-career hires get more quickly immersed in their disciplines and acclimated to FHWA. The team developed a pilot targeting new employees in the Pavements and Materials, Structures, and Program & Project Delivery (P&PD) disciplines. KM partnered with these three disciplines to fill the Navigator agenda with technical hot topics, an introduction to the Discipline Support System, a career panel, executive versions of foundational NHI training courses, opportunities to meet and network with FHWA and discipline leadership, and more. The 3.5-day, in-person pilot program was set to launch in March 2020, but was postponed when FHWA went to maximum telework.
To ensure that participants could reap the benefits of the planned program, the KM staff pivoted to offer segments of the Navigator agenda in a virtual format. After a successful kickoff webinar in July, 66 mid-career hires participated in a series of nine discipline-based events and other virtual activities over the course of the next six months. In addition to discipline breakout sessions, the program also included condensed versions of two core NHI courses (Federal-aid 101 and Highway Program Funding), an introduction to the Discipline Support System, and an opportunity for participants to network with agency or discipline leadership through informal “Career Conversations.” The Navigator pilot ended with a leadership-led program closeout session featuring Navigator’s executive sponsors, FHWA’s Executive Director, and Infrastructure leadership.
Based on feedback from participants and agency leadership, the virtual Navigator offerings were highly successful and filled a real need in the agency. The KM unit plans to build on the success of this pilot and create new Navigator opportunities with interested disciplines in 2021.
“This program shows that FHWA values new mid-career employees, and it encouraged me to explore deeper into other facets of FHWA.”
“I had the opportunity to meet Juan [Rivera Ortiz] –who brings a State perspective to our safety program and who knows how to tell the ‘data story’ in a way that is visually easy to understand. I also appreciate the value of this program. There is nothing like a one-on-one conversation to get to know someone.”
“Thanks! A big thanks, actually. I like the KM Navigator approach that FHWA has developed for mid-career hires like me. The seminars and outreach have been very valuable.”
KM Supports FOIA Training Development
For Federal agencies, responding to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests is an important but often confusing process. There are approximately 150 FOIA coordinators across FHWA, and most of them have other primary duties, which means they may only handle FOIA duties on an occasional basis. This can make it difficult to keep up with training and gain expertise. KM partnered with FHWA’s FOIA Team to develop training resources to help FOIA coordinators confidently process requests. Using their expertise in the development and delivery of virtual training sessions, KM created a training program plan and helped the FOIA team tailor training modules to a diverse audience of coordinators.
The team gathered input from FHWA FOIA coordinators via a survey and live crowdsourcing session. Feedback reinforced the training design and provided insights such as the need for flow charts, SOPs, checklists, case studies, and reference cards for key FOIA subjects. Particularly with large volume requests, these on-demand resources and live trainings will be instrumental in managing, responding, and resolving FOIA requests, while providing a flexible option for in-depth learning.
The training will consist of five modules, presented in a variety of learning formats, including on-demand resources and live-session Q&As with the experts. Participants will demonstrate knowledge and skills with information checks, and collaborate with other coordinators to learn the latest processes and need-to-know FOIA information. The FOIA 101 training is scheduled to begin as a pilot in spring 2021, followed by a full release of the program that summer.
