TPM Framework

The ten TPM components are shown below, numbered 01-06 and lettered A-D. Each component relates to the others in particular ways, indicated by arrows and position within the Framework. While components are numbered from 01-06 and A-D for ease of reference, TPM activities do not necessarily happen in order. The figure illustrates some of the linkages and feedback loops that are inherent in TPM. Click on the components to explore the framework through the TPM Guidebook.

The image above shows the TPM CMM Framework with each of the 10 components and 16 subcomponents. The components are as follows:

  1. Component 1
  2. Component 2
  3. Component 3
  4. Component 4
  5. Component 5
  6. Component 6
  7. Component A
  8. Component B
  9. Component C
  10. Component D

Definitions for each component are provided below; subcomponent definitions are contained in guidebook chapters.

Component 01. Strategic Direction

Definition: The establishment of an agency’s focus through well-defined goals and objectives, enabling assessment of the agency’s progress toward meeting goals and objectives by specifying a set of aligned performance measures. The Strategic Direction is the foundation upon which all transportation performance management rests.

Component 02. Target Setting

Definition: The use of baseline data, information on possible strategies, resource constraints, and forecasting tools to collaboratively establish a quantifiable level of performance the agency wants to achieve within a specific time frame. Targets make the link between investment decisions and performance expectations transparent across all stakeholders.

Component 03. Performance-Based Planning

Definition: The use of agency goals and objectives and performance trends to drive the development of strategies and priorities in the long-range transportation plan and other performance-based plans and processes. The resulting planning documents become the blueprint for how an agency intends to achieve its desired performance outcomes.

Component 04. Performance-Based Programming

Definition: The use of strategies and priorities to guide the allocation of resources to projects that are selected to achieve goals, objectives, and targets. Performance-based programming establishes clear linkages between investments made and expected performance outputs and outcomes.

Component 05. Monitoring and Adjustment

Definition: A set of processes used to track and evaluate actions taken and outcomes achieved, thereby establishing a feedback loop to refine planning, programming, and target setting decisions. It involves using performance data to obtain key insights into the effectiveness of decisions and identifying where adjustments need to be made in order to improve performance.

Component 06. Reporting and Communication

Definition: The products, techniques, and processes used to communicate performance information to different audiences for maximum impact. Reporting is an important element for increasing accountability and transparency to external stakeholders and for explaining internally how transportation performance management is driving a data-driven approach to decision making.

Component A. Performance Management Organization and Culture

Definition: Institutionalization of a transportation performance management culture within the organization, as evidenced by leadership support, employee buy-in, and embedded organizational structures and processes that support transportation performance management.

Component B. External Collaboration and Coordination

Definition: Established processes to collaborate and coordinate with agency partners and stakeholders on planning/visioning, target setting, programming, data sharing, and reporting. External collaboration allows agencies to leverage partner resources and capabilities, as well as increase understanding of how activities impact and are impacted by external factors.

Component C. Data Management

Definition: A set of coordinated activities for maximizing the value of data to an organization. It includes data collection, creation, processing, storage, backup, organization, documentation, protection, integration, dissemination, archiving, and disposal. Well-managed data are essential for a robust TPM practice.

Component D. Data Usability and Analysis

Definition: Existence of useful and valuable data sets and analysis capabilities available in accessible, convenient forms to support transportation performance management. While many agencies have a wealth of data, such data are often disorganized, or cannot be analyzed effectively to produce useful information to support target setting, decision making, monitoring, or other TPM practices.