This section examines the major strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the various activities that comprise Virginia's CVO program. This analysis was conducted in order to identify opportunities for implementing positive changes and to be responsive to potential obstacles that can undermine an organization's ability to affect change. Furthermore, knowledge of strengths and weaknesses, coupled with a clear vision of the future, better positions Virginia to seek opportunities for improved processes and enabling technologies. The results of the SWOT analysis are presented below.

Strengths

• Cooperation between Virginia agencies, federal government, the private sector, and other stakeholders
• Executive level buy-in
• Ability to leverage strategic position to assert leadership
• Commitment to customer service
• Culture which supports individual leadership and innovation

Weaknesses

• Procurement process not suited to technology acquisition
• Political uncertainty
• CVO knowledge base and expertise concentrated in only a few individuals
• Lack of an encompassing CVO plan
• Lack of a formal mechanism for industry stakeholder input and for agency outreach

Opportunities

• Help shape the ITS/CVO program nationally in ways that benefit the commercial vehicle industry
• Utilize state research institutions
• Use favorable geographic location(i.e., proximity to D.C., confluence of regions, intermodal connections) to leverage additional funding and projects
• Strengthen existing good relations with the private sector
• Build upon Virginia's existing strong technology base

Threats

• Lack of stakeholder buy-in due to unclear or unknown benefits
• Lack of technical and other standards at federal, state, and local levels
• Lack of adequate funding
• Failure to manage internal/external expectations
• Ability of vendors/contractors to deliver desired goods/services in an appropriate time frame

In Exhibit 8, opportunities and threats are mapped to the CVO goals.

EXHIBIT 8: CVO GOALS VS. SWOT OPPORTUNITIES AND THREATS