The City of San Diego’s Strategic Capital Projects Branch manages the city’s most complex infrastructure projects, including the Ocean Beach Pier Replacement, Convention Center Expansion, Hodges Dam Replacement, and the $1 billion Pure Water Program. This presentation explores San Diego’s approach to high-stakes project delivery, where each project’s unique political, technical, and logistical challenges require strategic management beyond standard practices. Key insights include the city’s method for building adaptable project teams with roles for professional public information officers (PIOs) and legal experts in contract management. Attendees will learn how the city engages stakeholders early to secure support for politically sensitive projects. The session will also highlight strategies for maintaining team stamina and morale over extended project timelines by celebrating interim milestones. Designed for leaders and professionals, this presentation offers practical strategies for structuring teams, building stakeholder buy-in, and maintaining focus on ambitious public projects. Participants will gain tools to adapt project management approaches to meet the evolving demands of large-scale municipal infrastructure projects. “After this session, participants will be better able to:
• Identify the ideal team composition for complex projects, including when to bring in professional public information officers and legal team expertise for proactive contract management.
• Determine the optimal timing and methods for engaging stakeholders, especially around sensitive political issues that may impact project progress.
• Sustain momentum on long-term projects by adapting team stamina and morale, recognizing and celebrating milestones to maintain resilience and focus over the project’s duration.”
Contributor/Source
Elif Cetin-Assistant Director Strategic Capital Projects Branch/ECP
Related Resources
Proficiency Levels
Introductory
Focuses on a general or broad overview of the topic, awareness of basic factual recall. Limited experience of the subject matter is necessary to understand content areas.
Applied
Focuses on practical implementation of technical steps or strategies, some prior knowledge and experience of the topic is necessary.
Advanced
Mastery of basic concepts associated with an area has been obtained. Focuses on understanding nuances, advanced concepts, and intricacies with implementation within knowledge area. Strong understanding of how the concept impacts other factors or areas of operations.
Program Types
CLL
Click, Listen & Learn (CLL) are interactive educational webinars. Each program is led by top experts in the field who share new ideas, methods, and technologies in a fast-paced two-hour time frame. These programs are available free to APWA members. CLL programs are eligible for continuing education units (CEUs).
Primer
Primers are used to educate policymakers about public works roles and responsibilities in public rights of way, the impact of federal workforce development policies on the industry and workforce, and the importance of resilient infrastructure.
Public Works Radio Podcast
Public Works Radio is the official podcast of the American Public Works Association (APWA), bringing the stories behind our communities to life. This podcast shines a spotlight on the people and projects that keep our cities running—humanizing the work and the professionals who make it happen. Each episode dives into a wide range of topics designed to educate and inspire, making public works more visible to everyone.
PWX
PWX session recordings cover a wide variety of topics, including integrating modes of transportation, traffic and transit, construction management, emergency management, engineering and technology, fleet and facilities, management, parks and grounds, snow and ice control, and stormwater/flood control, as well as solid waste, roads and bridges and water/wastewater. PWX sessions are eligible for continuing education units (CEUs).
Reporter Articles
APWA Reporter articles are written by public works practitioners on subjects such as solid waste management, water resources, municipal engineering, transportation, equipment services, buildings and grounds, snow removal, and other public works-related topics.
Snow
The Snow Conference session recordings feature public works professionals sharing the latest best practices in managing winter/snow operations more successfully, taking advantage of emerging technologies, understanding and preparing for the challenges ahead, and providing better service to their communities. Snow sessions are eligible for continuing education units (CEUs).
Tech Boxes
A tech box is a PDF take-away that provides information in lists, steps, or defined areas specifically focused on trending technologies.
Virtual Program
Virtual programs are live, interactive educational programs led by top experts in the field who provide timely information or address trending topics within an area. Programs often conclude with an open forum for Q&A.