Infrastructure projects rarely proceed exactly as planned. Priorities shift, costs increase, funding sources change, staffing capacity fluctuates, and schedules evolve over time. Many local governments—particularly small and mid-sized jurisdictions—struggle to move infrastructure priorities from planning to implementation because traditional Capital Improvement Plans (CIPs) and their related processes are often static, siloed, and disconnected from day-to-day operational realities.
This 60-minute introductory workshop will introduce participants to a more agile and integrated approach to capital planning that better aligns infrastructure priorities with organizational realities. Participants will explore how technical, financial, capacity, and community factors interact to influence planning and project delivery. Through discussion and reflection, attendees will gain new perspectives on common implementation challenges, identify opportunities for improvement, and leave with practical solutions to support more effective capital planning.
For agencies interested in exploring these concepts further, a limited-enrollment, three-session applied workshop series will follow. Participants of the series will assess their current CIP processes, identify problem areas, and develop practical tools and frameworks tailored to their specific needs through hands-on exercises, coaching, and peer learning.
After attending the overview session on September 8, cities wishing to attend additional workshop sessions and coaching calls will submit an Expression of Interest.
Course Format:
• Four (4) virtual 1-hour workshop sessions conducted every other week
• Four (4) virtual 1-hour coaching sessions with PPG staff providing individualized or small-group support to complete project planning and RFQ work products tied to local infrastructure procurement needs
Details
- Course Dates: September 8, 2026
- Format: Live Online
- Cost: Free
Dates
- Tuesday, Sept. 8 | 1 – 2 PM ET
After attending the overview session on September 8th, cities wishing to attend additional workshop sessions and coaching calls will be required to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI). - Tuesday, Oct. 6 | 1 – 2 PM ET
- Tuesday, Oct. 20 | 1 – 2 PM ET
- Tuesday, Nov. 3 | 1 – 2 PM ET
Learning Objectives
At the end of the introductory workshop, participants will:
- Reflect on how current capital planning practices influence project delivery, organizational alignment, and implementation success.
- Recognize common challenges that limit the effectiveness of Capital Improvement Plans, including coordination, capacity, funding, and governance constraints.
- Explore strategies and frameworks for integrating technical planning, financial decision-making, organizational capacity, and community priorities into the capital planning process.
At the end of the applied workshop series, participants will:
Enact an initial implementation plan that identifies governance changes, coordination practices, responsibilities, and next steps needed to sustain improvements.
Assess strengths, gaps, and improvement opportunities within their current CIP processes.
Develop an integrated CIP framework, prioritization strategy, or implementation roadmap tailored to their organization’s needs and capacity.
Course Instructors
Andrew Golda and Kayla Mehrens both serve on Partner for Public Good’s Infrastructure Team, where they help local governments plan, procure, and deliver critical infrastructure projects. Together, they bring more than 30 years of capital planning and project delivery experience spanning local government, consulting, and international project development.