MDOT Construction Manual Content Revision Procedures
Construction Manual Update Process
Suggested revisions to the MDOT Construction Manual are welcome from all users. The more users help improve the content, the more it improves the guidance for all other users.
To make a revision suggestion to the Construction Manual please email [email protected]
Content Changes/Submissions
Changes or suggestions should be submitted to the [email protected] resource email.
New content submissions should be drafted per the MDOT Construction Manual Style Guide and formatted to match the standard Construction Manual Content Template. This will help all sections of the Construction Manual have a familiar format and structure for the users.
Construction Manual Updates
Types of Changes
Typically there are three types of Construction Manual update changes:
- Type 1: Minor Clerical Updates.
- Fixing the Spelling, Correcting Errors, Broken Links, etc.
- Type 2: Minor Process Changes
- These might include Form updates, contact information changes, new routing of forms, etc.
- Minor items that require approval of the Division Content Manager
- Typically published in the Minor Changes Table on the main page.
- Type 3: Major Changes
- Changes that will have a statewide impact to the delivery of the program either monetarily, staffing, equipment, procedural, material and documentation requirements.
- Changes passed down from Federal or State oversight agencies
- Typically published in the Major Changes Table on the main page.
Construction Manual Update Review Process
Division Content Managers Review Team
The proposed changes will be reviewed by CFS and the Division Content Managers. The Content Manager will then set up a review team consisting of subject matter experts to review the validity of suggested changes. The team can be made up of direct reports, industry partners, FHWA, and anyone who the Content Manager feels will be able to provide the best review and input for the suggested change.
Construction Manual Update Approval Process
The Wiki format allows for the Construction Manual to be continuously updated to remain current with changing practice. CFS has been communicating information on new and/or updated procedures and processes through Construction Manual Updates (CMU). The process for revising the Construction Manual is based on the impact that the change will have and is defined below:
Type 1: Minor Clerical Updates
- These changes do not require additional approval processes.
- Updates will be made in the Construction Manual and updates of note may also be listed in the Minor Changes Table on the main page.
Type 2: Minor Process Changes
- This may require assembly of a team of subject matter experts to review the wording and create any supporting information for the change.
- Final approval by the Division Content Manager for that Section.
- Updates will be published and the changes noted in the Minor Changes Table on the main page.
Type 3: Major Changes
- Once a suggested major change is submitted to the content manager, the content manager shall assemble a team for subject matter experts to review the suggested change for technical merit, economic impact, staffing impact, industry impacts, etc. This same team will provide comments on the content of the update.
- If it is deemed that the change is beneficial or required of the department then the content manager will copy that section of the Construction Manual into a word document, enable track changes and draft the revision. This document will be submitted to the Construction Administration Engineer for review.
- Once approved the CFS Construction Administration Section will then submit the update for a two week region review & comment period.
- Once all comments are received they will be addressed by the author and provided back to the Construction Administration Engineer
- The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) will then review and approve the proposed changes.
- Final Approval will come from the Region Engineer Liaisons to the Bureau of Field Services (BFS), and BFS Leadership (Bureau Director, Engineer of Construction Field Services and TSMO Division Administrator)
- Final changes will then be published in the Construction Manual, and logged in the Major Change Table.
- For major changes a GovDelivery email will also be sent to CFS listserv users.