Practical Solutions is our approach to achieving the WSDOT mission. Practical Solutions guides how we manage the organization and everything we invest in it. It applies to all we do as an efficient 21st century organization, including the way we administer, manage, plan, program, design, construct, operate and maintain each of our services and programs. Through Practical Solutions, we identify and solve problems and needs as quickly and inexpensively as possible, making data-driven and performance-based decisions.

Practical Solutions is one of three agency strategic plan goals; it supports the other two goals of Inclusion and Workforce Development, and they support Practical Solutions.

Practical Solutions is a way of thinking and acting based on WSDOT’s values of safety, engagement, innovation, integrity, leadership and sustainability. Through Practical Solutions, we collaborate with our partners to make the right investments, in the right places, at the right time, using the right approach to achieve an integrated, sustainable transportation system and organization. We work with stakeholders to develop coordinated solutions that address preservation, safety, mobility, economic vitality, stewardship and the environment.

Practical Solutions is currently being advanced through five strategies, defined as follows:

• Asset Management - determine needs and develop investment strategies to manage system assets to appropriate service levels;
• Practical Decision Making - achieve a common understanding of Practical Solutions and how to apply it throughout the agency and with our partners;
• Integrate Systems & Modes - ensure multimodal access to community, goods and services by optimizing system performance;
• Aligning Investments - engage partners to plan, operate and deliver complementary system investments; and
• Budget & Policy Alignment - engage the Legislature and Office of Financial Management to better align the agency’s budget with its prioritized needs & goals.

Practical Decision Making Core Principles

Core Principles guide the decisions that make up a Practical Solution. Practical Decision Making

• Starts with a clear purpose and need;
• Considers resource constraints and lifecycle costs;
• Engages stakeholders and looks for partnerships;
• Considers overall system performance;
• Considers incremental, phased solutions; and
• Applies innovation and creativity.

For detailed information about these strategies and Practical Solutions performance, see the Strategic Plan Dashboard.