"By identifying [hurdles] up front, you can build time into the project to work through and deal with difficult issues."

Question Two: What will stand in our way?

It's good to anticipate all possible hurdles as early as possible in the process. By identifying them up front, you can build time into the project to work through and deal with difficult issues.

Here are some of the concerns that are typical to a number of projects:

* Funding: where will it come from, how will it ultimately be obtained and coordinated, who will determine constraints on how various funding sources can be spent?

* Permitting: what laws or regulations will apply to the project, what permits are necessary, and what organizations will need to review and grant those permits? This will not only identify requirements that will guide the project but it will also identify procedural requirements that will govern the process. Understanding the permitting needs will also identify who needs to be at the table. Involving or notifying permitting agencies early in the process can help build relationships that will be very valuable in project permitting.

* WSDOT review: what will it entail, how will it be scheduled, and how will that schedule be adhered to? Who has final say so on comments?

* Consultant response and recommendation: How will any project consultants respond to comments by FHWA, WSDOT, or local agencies in ongoing work activities? How will disagreements be handled? How will changes be incorporated into plans? How will communication with consultants occur?

* Local review and approval: How can the team be assured that each jurisdiction will respond with one voice? Could a higher political body overrule a team decision? What can the team do to avoid these kinds of surprises?

* Document quality: what are the expectations for the quality of submittals, and does everyone understand them?

* Conflicting goals: Can we possibly incorporate all of the goals, values, and visions that have been stated for this project? How will local access needs be addressed? Again, work at this first meeting to make your barrier list as comprehensive as possible. The earlier you define these concerns, the better able you will be to deal with them as they come up on the project. Later on you will be refining this list and developing a schedule to effectively handle the barriers you have identified.