Needs Assessment and Workflow Analysis of Baltimore County Department of Public Works Operational Procedures for Managing Flood Reports

Abstract

The Baltimore County Department of Public Works (BCDPW) Storm Drains Engineering Department seeks a standardized operational process and technical system that can be used within Cityworks, an asset management system used to help manage their public assets, work activities, and business process. This standardized operational process and technical system would assist BCDPW in systematically evaluating incoming flood complaints and help determine the most resource-efficient approach to alleviate and respond. A process and system should accurately depict the exact nature of an incident as well as rate and prioritize the incident. This approach should also guide inspectors on the necessary resources and next steps to effectively and efficiently resolve the incident. This report incorporates suggestions to improve operational procedures regarding the CityWorks management system. The project scope is strictly limited to conducting an assessment to resolve the needs and wants of current procedures versus desired procedures. Accordingly, the final deliverable will not include designing any technology but will include a descriptive analysis of the database or processes envisioned. Finally, we will be developing suggestions working within the ideal situation where requests are made to one group within BCDPW and their procedural steps of using the CityWorks asset management system.