The Evolving Knowledge and Skill Requirements of America’s Civil Infrastructure Managers

The need has never been greater for talented, creative, and effective managers of civil infrastructure agencies. The key responsibilities of the organizations that build and manage civil infrastructure have changed significantly during the past two decades. These changes in the strategic requirements of infrastructure agencies are reflected in changing role demands for these agencies’ managers. But although new roles require new skills, most civil infrastructure organizations are still getting by with a managerial and organizational knowledge base and skills that differ little from two decades ago. Few managers possess the knowledge and skill base to perform well under rapidly changing conditions. Improving this situation will require more than a few training courses. It requires reforming the ways in which most managers and infrastructure professionals think. It also requires changing the ways in which educational institutions design and deliver managerial education to civil infrastructure professionals and managers.