Background
Austin Light Rail Phase 1 will transform how people move around Austin with all-electric trains running reliably every 5-10 minutes most of the day and connecting people to major job centres, education hubs and iconic destinations.
Designed to expand as the city grows, the project includes 15 stations along a nearly 10-mile alignment, miles of new pedestrian and cycling paths, and a new bridge across Lady Bird Lake. Austin Light Rail is designed with flexibility to support future extensions. The plan is to have it open for service in the year 2033, with construction scheduled to commence in 2027.
ATP have procured the Austin Light Rail Phase 1 using a progressive design-build delivery model. Phase 1 will help shape and build the design and construction of nearly every aspect of the system, including the transitway, tracks, systems, stations, bridges, traffic signals, utilities, drainage structures and streetscape improvements.
The progressive delivery model will enable ATP to collaborate with the Austin Rail Constructors (ARC) team through:
- Innovation of design solutions that balance technical requirements with Austin’s unique needs.
- Design with constructability at the forefront to keep Austin moving while the project is being built.
- Integration of latest construction costs into design development to align with the project budget.
The M&M Effect
M&Ms coaching enabled the team to demonstrate collaborative readiness and behavioural capability within their Collaborative Behavioural Assessment (CBA) and subsequent interview with Austin Transit Partners (ATP) as part of the procurement process.
Across this bid pursuit, M&M focused on enabling the teams to demonstrate authentic collaborative capability within high-pressure bid environments, including:
- Provided kick-off and teaming support across partners, including project leadership and the bid team.
- Engaged the client in practice and preparation for commercial and technical pre-award meetings.
- Supported the team in empathy mapping the needs of the community, transit users, clients and stakeholder members.
- Provided industry advisory on what thought leadership events to take part in as a cohesive team supporting stakeholder awareness knowledge.
- Utilised strengths-based psychometrics in teaming exercises, featured in the RfP submission and supported the CBA and interview training.
- Conducted 1-2-1 coaching with key leaders and team members.
- Wrote and reviewed sections of the RfP.
- Virtual and in-person CBA preparation: training to ensure collaboration throughout delivery.
- Virtual and in-person interview training: Dress rehearsal, game day support, collaborative exercises, and support to create content and presentation techniques, including project-related exercises, roles and expectations.
- Embedded ARC’s behavioural principles, values and culture throughout the process to ensure consistency during the assessments.
In Their Words
M&M did an exceptional job preparing us for the CBA. The practice sessions felt incredibly realistic—she even matched the transition slides to those from BCTC used in the actual event. The exercises throughout the week leading up to the CBA were extremely valuable. The coaches also demonstrated great awareness; when they noticed we were getting fatigued, she encouraged us to step outside and get some fresh air, which made a big difference.
Nothing but positive feedback. I've been in a lot of interview prep sessions, but nothing like this. I learned a lot about the overall psychological aspect of it - and how to help build others up by watching how M&M coached.
This was truly an incredible experience and journey for me; there are so many wonderful takeaways and memories I will cherish and grow from.
That I am going to miss you guys and hope we get a chance to work together again at some point in the future.
This was great preparation for the CBA, and I had the added benefit of building a number of friendships.
Y'all rock! Looking forward to seeing you soon in Austin :)
Our Take
Our role was to support the ARC team to show their collaborative capability clearly during the CBA and panel interview process. Through a series of virtual and in-person sessions, practical exercises and emulating the real thing, we worked with the team to prepare for the assessment environment and build confidence ahead of the ATP CBA and interview.
Just as importantly, the process created space for the team to strengthen relationships and align on ARC’s behavioural principles, values and culture.
It was a real pleasure to work with the team throughout this whole process. Watching them grow in confidence, deepen their connections with each other and learn together. Their openness, energy and commitment made them a fantastic team to work with.
