TxDOT develops a Strategic Plan every four years that details the goals and action plans to guide the department in planning, developing and building the needed transportation projects to optimize the state’s transportation network. With guidance from the Strategic Plan, TxDOT selects projects that meet the agency’s strategic goals and are implemented through the department’s project development process.

TxDOT’s project development process is a comprehensive system involving the following major phases:

The project phase is defined as the project’s current status within the project development process and is used to identify the necessary relevant activities, milestones, and key tasks. The overall project development process is shown in .

A detailed illustration of each project development phase can be found on the (TxDOT intranet only).

Communication among various Divisions, Districts, and administration involved in the project development process and transition of the project from one phase to another is critical to a project’s success. Project Managers (PMs) are responsible for establishing and maintaining communication and coordination throughout the project development process. It is important to understand the sequence and interrelation between these phases to successfully deliver a project.