Definition of Freight Issue to Be Addressed
In many situations, the success of a DM process hinges on correct—and consistent—identification of the problem the process is meant to address. At any given time, many freight challenges compete for attention and resources. Too broad a focus may result in overly complicated DM and planning, which makes a successful outcome less certain. Too narrow a focus may result in unsatisfactory allocations of resources, as smaller issues may be addressed while larger but still-feasible challenges remain unsolved. One benefit of engaging stakeholders is that doing so encourages identification and examination of problems from multiple vantage points. The initial engagement of stakeholders and consensus-building efforts help ensure that each problem is carefully vetted, clearly defined, and agreed on so that all parties understand what the DM process will—and will not–address.
