AASHTOWare 101
August 26, 2025As fall approaches and students head back to school, let’s take the opportunity for a refresher course on AASHTOWare Project (AWP) – an overview of its benefits, configurability, and cost-efficiency.
Benefits Galore!
AWP has come a long way from its mainframe roots, transitioning to a web-based product that offers numerous advantages. Gone are the “black screens and green lettered, menu driven modules,” replaced by a modern web design. The six core integrated modules now share a consistent look and feel and utilize a common database, ensuring easy data accessibility and sharing across business units. This significantly reduces manual data entry errors, eliminates redundant efforts, and provides all stakeholders with real-time, consistent information.
Over the years, AWP has expanded with valuable additions like electronic bidding, mobile applications, hosting services, and OpenAPI functionality. These enhancements further benefit users. Electronic Bidding on Bid Express offers a convenient, secure, and reliable solution for agencies and contractors. Mobile applications enable users to work offline and sync data when connectivity is available. For example, Wisconsin DOT found hosting services to be more cost-effective than on-premises solutions, providing convenient daily support and quick deployment of upgrades without the need for additional internal staff. With OpenAPI, agencies can now easily connect AWP to other useful tools from recognizable vendors in the construction administration marketplace.
Speaking of valuable additions, how about the new kids on the block. AASHTOWare Project Data Analytics, delivered in 2024 as a “software as a service” (SaaS) product, offers a different interface but remains accessible alongside other modules when a user logs into AWP. This powerful tool allows agencies to mine data across the project lifecycle, improving decision-making and communication with stakeholders.
There is also AASHTOWare Project Asset Tracker delivered in 2025. This SaaS application was created to fill digital workflow gaps in highway construction by linking design, estimation, letting, and construction through a common asset ID. This helps agencies connect project data with their asset inventory and geospatial databases for efficient and accurate information management.
Beyond the applications themselves, the AWP community is a significant benefit. This community includes licensing agencies, AASHTO, and Infotech (the AWP contractor). Groups like the Project User Group (PUG) and PUG Board foster constant communication and idea-sharing through web forums, Technical Advisory Groups, Technical Review Teams, Agile Enhancement Teams, and the Project Task Force. There are ample opportunities to get involved and collaborate with others who share a common purpose.
Configurability for Your Needs
AWP is designed to be highly configurable by the agency itself or with assistance from Infotech. Agencies can add or remove fields from screens. For instance, the Wisconsin DOT customized field names, such as using “Structure Segments” instead of “Bridge Segments” in AWP Construction and tailoring the glossary to display WisDOT-specific guidance. Agencies can also create “Agency Views” — configurable forms — to capture unique data and extend the power of AWP. System notifications can be set up to alert users about specific workflow events. User roles can be configured to grant access only to what a user needs to work on. Even base error messages can be customized to provide more specific information and details. All these features allow agencies to optimize AWP for easy and efficient user experience.
Cost-Effectiveness: Maximizing Taxpayer Dollars
As stewards of taxpayer money, agencies are charged with delivering projects cost-effectively. AWP serves as a low-cost alternative compared to other industry products. It functions as an effective and efficient contract management system, maximizing Federal and state infrastructure investments. AASHTO has consistently worked to keep costs low and predictable, enabling agencies like WisDOT to budget and plan for future implementation projects.
A compelling example comes from Wisconsin, which previously relied on a collection of customized consultant-delivered systems for managing construction, materials, and civil rights activities at a substantial cost. After implementing AWP Preconstruction, Construction & Materials, and Civil Rights & Labor, Wisconsin anticipates spending nearly 65% less on annual license fees and expects to recoup their implementation costs within five years. This demonstrates how AWP helps agencies make the most of limited taxpayer dollars by promoting competition, securing the best value, ensuring proper fund management, and leveraging technology to decrease construction time and costs.
In conclusion, AASHTOWare Project 101 highlights how AWP offers cost-effective, configurable applications covering the entire construction project lifecycle, supported by Infotech and a nationwide community of users. So, grab your backpack and supplies, and get ready for another banner year at AWP University!!