Basics of APWA Accreditation and Self Assessment

This one hour Webinar for the Florida LTAP Center presented the APWA Accreditation Program for interested agencies hoping for a successful outcome.

1. APWA Self Assessment & Accreditation
Charles R. (Chas) Jordan, M.P.A., P.W.E., F.M.P., ENV SP
President / Principal –Radiant Training & Consulting, LLC
Florida LTAP Center

2. Self Assessment & Accreditation
APWA: The purpose of the accreditation program is to
provide a means of formally verifying and recognizing
public works agencies for compliance with the
recommended practices set forth in the Public Works
Management Practices Manual.

4. Self Assessment vs. Accreditation
Self Assessment
lVoluntary
lFree (w/ Book)
lGood Management Practice
lCan Be Done Anytime
lRequired First Stepin Accreditation

5. Self Assessment vs. Accreditation
Accreditation
lRequest Through Contract
lCosts $$$
lPeer Reviewed
lHas a Set Schedule
lOfficial Recognition

6. What is Accreditation?
It is a voluntary, self-motivated approach to objectively
evaluate, verify and recognize compliance with the
recommended management practices.
It is a prestigious acknowledgement of excellence from the
foremost public works professional association in the USA!

7. What does it cost?
lBased on the agency’s population and number of functional areas
provided by the agency and included for review.
lDesigned to recover the actual costs associated with administering the
program.
lAn estimate of total accreditation costs based on the characteristics of
each agency will be provided to applicants at the time of application.
lCosts of the on-site evaluation represent the unknown cost, since the
agencies will be responsible for actual costs.
lAccreditation fees for a medium size municipal agency are expected to be
between $10,000 and $15,000, over the two-to three-year process, not
including the agency’s staff expenses.

8. What is the Process?
Application
Self
Assessment
Improvement
Evaluation
ACCREDITATION

9. Application Phase
1.Request information or
application package
from APWA
2.Review the
accreditation process
guide
3.Make formal
application and pay
fees
4.APWA reviews
application and
approves accreditation
agreement

10. Self Assessment Phase
1.Conduct Self
Assessment
2.Present Results to
Elected Officials
3.Mail in Notice of
Completion and
Documentation
4.APWA Mails an
Acknowledgement
and a Certificate

11. What is a Self Assessment?
Internal evaluation of an organization’s policies, procedures and practices
–used to determine its strengths and areas for improvement.
Documentation –forms the basis for making continuous improvements in
agency operations.
Prepares an agency for the accreditation review and leads to the
preparation of necessary documentation.

12. Whenshould you do a Self Assessment?
Before you sign contract vs. after you sign contract?
Or you might choose no contract?
A recent survey of accredited agencies and found that:
55% did it before
45% did it after

13. Whyshould you do a Self Assessment?
International recognition for the commitment to processes
that promote good government
Increased productivity and effectiveness through critical
evaluation of programs and services
Tools for establishing performance measurement systems
and internal performance standards for operations,
management and administrative functions

14. Whyshould you do a Self Assessment?
A visible form of recognition that can be used to gain
community support for improvement of public works
facilities and services
An opportunity for professional development of your staff
A process to discover the latest developments in public
works operation and maintenance

15. Improvement Phase
1.Implement
improvements
identified during self
assessment
2.Update Self
Assessment
documentation
3.File and Document
Completion
4.Submit Application
for Site Visit with
Checklist

16. Evaluation Phase
1.APWA
acknowledges
request for Site Visit
2.APWA identifies
evaluation team
3.Site visit is
conducted and an
evaluation report is
prepared by team.

17. Evaluation Phase

18. Accreditation Phase
1.Site Review Report
submitted to the
APWA Accreditation
Council
2.Council reviews and
considers
Accreditation
3.APWA Notifies
Agency of the
Results
4.Plaque is Presented
to Agency at Elected
Body Meeting

19. What Now?
Continuous Improvement
Self Assessment
Identify Needs
/ Set Goals
ImplementationEvaluation
Accreditation
/ Re-Accreditation

20. What are the disadvantages?
TIME AND EFFORT -It does require a significant amount of
effort to conduct a self assessment and make necessary
improvements in the operations and management of your
agency.
COST -There are also costs involved for the accreditation
process, though efforts will be made to keep these
reasonable and affordable to all agencies regardless of
size. (Approx. $15K-$20K for a medium sized agency).

21. What are the advantages?
1.Formal recognition of well run agencies
2.A mechanism to evaluate the organization
3.A target for improving operations
4.Public recognition of public works function
5.Justifying budget requests
6.Instilling pride in personnel
7.Reducing liability
8.Lowering insurance premiums

22. What are the advantages?
9.Raising national public works profiles
10.Benefiting in personnel recruitment
11.Encouraging documentation of policies
12.Encouraging improvement of procedures
13.Raising competencies in public works
14.Consistent, comprehensive practices
15.Fostering interaction among personnel
16.Encouraging employee involvement.

23. What you will need
1.Support of your governing board and upper management
2.Cooperation of other departments, team leaders, & your staff
3.Discipline to stay the course
4.Strength to get others to do their part, YOU CAN’T DO THIS ALONE. It is a
team effort that will ensure success.
5.Resources dedicated to the mission
6.Accountability for results, team leaders need to have responsibility to get it
done.

24. What you will get
Network–Help with just about anything you need. Someone out there has done it
before and will assist you.
Stronger Relationships will develop as a result of the cooperation of other
departments, team leaders, & your staff.
Mutual Respect of all those involved that will carry into other projects and
assignments.
Teamwork will be the standard of behavior.
Positive Attitude of success with dedication to the continuous improvement of
your organization.

26. Other Resources
APWA website: http://www.apwa.net/
APWA infoNOWCommunity
Tracy Quintana, Accreditation Program Manager
[email protected]
800-848-2792
Self Assessment/Accreditation Workshops

27. Questions / Comments?
www.radiant-consulting.com