A fundamental study of scope definition in early highway project development

The objective of this research is to provide a better understanding of scope definition early in highway project development. Large transportation projects have historically been underestimated due in part to lack of scope definition early in project development. Additionally, state highway agencies are beginning to explore alternative delivery systems including design-build. Design-build projects are often let with less than 30% design, increasing the need for a better understanding of the level and quality of scope definition for a successful project. The goal of this research is to provide the highway industry with a deeper understanding of scope definition in early project development with a focus on highway design-build projects. The research begins with a study of the state of the art of project definition rating indices and highway scoping documents. Next the research develops a scope definition framework to analyze how scope definition influences design-build project success. An evaluation model of the framework attributes is developed through interviews with design-build users. The research is demonstrated through the construction of an evaluation model and scoring index, Scope Definition Index (SDI), for the application of this greater understanding. This model is validated and calibrated for application on design-build projects. A greater understanding and evaluation of scope definition aids state highway agencies in identifying and evaluating uncertainty levels associated with a project, developing bidding documents, recognizing when project aspects are not developed to an adequate level or are developed too far and prescriptively limit innovation, and producing overall successful projects.