PUG Corner

June 10, 2026

PUG Resolutions
Great news – the PTF has officially reviewed and approved the two PUG Resolutions related to the Data Analytics and Civil Rights & Labor category splits (yes, the ones everyone diligently voted on back in March!). These changes aim to improve the Enhancement Ranking process and bring a bit more clarity to the Ticketed Modification Request (TMR) – Ticket Info – Functional Area. Infotech is already hard at work implementing the updates in the AASHTOWareProject.org (APO) website, so feel free to send them a virtual fist bump.

The Data Analytics category will now become two new categories:

• Data Analytics (DA) SaaS
• Data Analytics (DA) Web

The DA Web category will include the sub‑categories DA Web Analysis and DA Web Pricing, while all existing DA sub‑categories will continue under DA SaaS. The Data Analytics TAG will stay in the driver’s seat to review TMRs across both new categories and will team up with the Estimation TAG as needed for anything pricing‑related.

The Civil Rights & Labor Management category is also getting a tidy makeover, splitting into:

• Civil Rights EEO
• Civil Rights Labor Compliance

The “EEO” sub‑category which includes EEO, OJT & DBE shifts over to the Civil Rights EEO category, and the “Labor” sub‑category will now belong to Civil Rights Labor Compliance. The Civil Rights & Labor TAG will continue to serve as the primary reviewers of TMRs across both new categories. Smooth and simple!

2026 PUG Conference
We’re busy building out the agenda for the 2026 PUG Conference — and a huge THANK YOU to everyone who’s submitted topics so far. If inspiration hasn’t struck yet, don’t worry, there’s still time to submit ideas or volunteer to present. If you’ve ever said, “Someone should really talk about this…” congratulations, that someone might be you!

The 2026 PUG Conference website is live on APO. Based on your feedback from last year, we’ve revamped the event schedule — be sure to take a peek at the “Schedule at a Glance” in the Agenda link at the top of the home page. As always, every AASHTOWare Project user is welcome to attend (yes, even that coworker who swears they’re “not a conference person”).

Future Plans
A little plot twist for the 2027 PUG Conference: the originally planned location didn’t work out — turns out finding reasonable room rates and finding a venue large enough for a group our size in Maine is about as easy as debugging someone else’s code. Luckily, our Conference Planner worked some magic and found us a fantastic new location in Baltimore, Maryland, at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront. Thank you, Michele, for saving the day!

Voting for the 2028 PUG Conference location kicks off next month. Agency User Representatives will receive an electronic poll to help determine the top three WASHTO state contenders. Final voting will happen during Thursday’s general session at the 2026 conference — democracy in action, PUG‑style!

Since it’s an even numbered year, we’ll also be voting for our four PUG Board Advisors during Thursday’s session. Advisors support two TAGs each and help keep the communication between the TAGs and the PUG Board flowing like a well‑oiled API. Interested in joining or nominating someone? Click HERE for details.

On behalf of the PUG Board — we can’t wait to see everyone at the 2026 PUG Conference in Murfreesboro Tennessee!

Respectfully,
Kristen McDaniel
AASHTOWare Project User Group Board of Directors, Chair