An international comparison of the institutional governance of water utility asset management and its implications for Finland

Water Policy ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. M. Vinnari ◽  
J. J. Hukka
Keyword(s):  
Asset Management ◽  
Strategic Decision ◽  
Investment Planning ◽  
Water Utility ◽  
Institutional Governance ◽  
Management Planning ◽  
Service Levels ◽  
Water Service ◽  
Operational Capacity

Concerns over the condition of water and sewerage networks and their facilities are especially topical as several countries, including Finland, are approaching a stage where their aging and deteriorating pipelines will demand extensive repair, renewal and replacement. Solving the problems related to the construction and, in particular, the maintenance of water service infrastructures requires the methods of long-term planning and strategic decision-making, which are often referred to as water utility asset management. Since maintaining the operational capacity of water service systems has a crucial role in preventing hazards to human health and to the environment, the policy-level consideration of issues related to asset management planning seems well justified. A review of the institutional governance of asset management and investment planning in countries that are facing similar challenges provides several replicable principles for the water sector in Finland. A combination of legal requirements and professionally established norms could be expected to set an appropriate balance between securing adequate service levels and allowing utilities to decide autonomously on additional improvements.

scholarly journals Engaging field staff in strategic asset management

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 803-808
Author(s):  
Patricia Bakir ◽  
Cameron Raine
Keyword(s):  
Technology Adoption ◽  
Asset Management ◽  
Work Processes ◽  
Field Staff ◽  
Water Utility ◽  
Field Level ◽  
Staff Commitment ◽  
Utility Planning

Abstract Adopting and implementing Strategic Asset Management (SAM) is a prerequisite to improving day-to-day management and long-term utility planning. Field-level employees play a key role in implementation of a SAM program and have to make often burdensome adjustments to their work processes to comply with newly instituted systems. They are not always consulted in planning and technology adoption. They frequently do not receive feedback or recognition for their contribution. Based on a water utility survey, the authors provide insights and recommendations on how to increase field staff commitment to SAM. They will utilize their results to conduct further research directly with field staff on their perceived role and what can be done to improve their adoption of SAM processes.

scholarly journals Strategic asset management approach for planning investment in a large-scale irrigation system

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 2165-2174
Author(s):  
Rita Salgado Brito ◽  
Helena Alegre ◽  
Pedro Machado
Keyword(s):  
Asset Management ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Irrigation System ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
Management Approach ◽  
Investment Planning ◽  
Big Picture ◽  
System Breakdown ◽  
Functional Areas

Abstract Typically, large-scale irrigation systems are built almost entirely in a short time-frame, a significant part of the assets age at the same time and concentrated investment needs for rehabilitation are predictable. This paper focuses on planning these needs in an aggregated way, providing a big picture for the long term investment plan. A methodology for this purpose was developed and applied to a large-scale irrigation utility in Portugal. For such, the following steps were taken: (i) system breakdown by functional areas; (ii) infrastructure components disaggregation; (iii) diagnosis of the reference situation; (iv) evaluation of long-term alternatives for rehabilitation investment planning. The methodology is in line with the IAM approach recommended by IWA and the ISO55000 standards. In this paper, the specificities of this particular application, namely a proposal of irrigation component classes, and the studied alternatives, are presented. As an overall result, it was possible to indicate a path for economic sustainability without committing the infrastructure sustainability: it is based on gradual replacement of the assets reaching their useful life, combined with a constant rehabilitation rate. This paper is a contribution to an AM system for irrigation utilities, so alignment with IAM and the contribution to a broader IAM system is highlighted.

scholarly journals Strategic scenario analysis of long-term asset management planning

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-54
Author(s):  
M. J. van de Ven-Glastra ◽  
J. Q. J. C. Verberk ◽  
R. Sonke ◽  
J. Dominicus ◽  
A. Bindt
Keyword(s):  
Asset Management ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Management Plan ◽  
Strategic Decisions ◽  
Management Planning ◽  
Future Developments ◽  
Investment Plan ◽  
Asset Replacement ◽  
Individual Asset

Evides Waterbedrijf (Evides) has prepared a long term asset management plan (LTAP) for the 30 year to 2045 in relation to pending investments and future developments. Compilation of an LTAP is in the interests of both consumers and shareholders. Insights from the LTAP, as deduced from asset management practices, can be challenged against strategic decisions for the future. In addition, the LTAP can be used to predict long-term financial and technical resourcing requirements, as well as the resulting price for consumers and dividend for shareholders. In this paper the process of setting up an LTAP model based on individual asset replacement at the end of their technical lives is described. The investment plan allows for sufficient possibilities to shuffle investments suitably in relation to risk, without affecting the consumer price directly. Shareholder interests are best served by investing when technically required while spreading investment over time.

Validation Protocol for a Pavement Management System

2018 ◽  
Vol 2672 (44) ◽  
pp. 32-42
Author(s):  
Theunis F. P. Henning ◽  
Elke Beca ◽  
Gordon Hart
Keyword(s):  
Asset Management ◽  
Pavement Management ◽  
Evolutionary Development ◽  
Investment Planning ◽  
Pavement Management System ◽  
Number Of Factors ◽  
Pavement Management Systems ◽  
The Status ◽  
Long Term Forecasting

Being able to undertake more efficient maintenance and renewal planning of road networks has seen a number of pavement management systems (PMS) being developed between the 80s to mid-90s. During the initial years, there was a significant focus on substantiating the need and demonstrating the benefits of using these tools to assist in the investment planning for roads. Today, with substantial experience, and legislative support such as MAP-21 and PASS-55, the use of PMS in the asset management cycle of roads is a given. The challenge these days is to effectively use these tools and ensure robust outcomes are achieved from the overall PMS process. The success of any PMS is determined by a number of factors including having skilled resources, institutional support, and legislative and funding drivers demanding evidence-based forecasted investment needs. Asset managers also realize the importance of having technical robustness in the process to ensure likely outcomes. This paper documents the evolutionary development pathway of the New Zealand PMS that has now been in use across the entire country for more than 18 years. It shows how by always challenging the status quo it has resulted in consistently increasing the overall robustness of the system. In particular, it shows how different validation techniques have been used to improve the practicality and appropriateness of long-term forecasting capabilities.

scholarly journals Strategic decision support for long-term conservation management planning

2021 ◽  
Vol 497 ◽  
pp. 119533
Author(s):  
Eric S. Abelson ◽  
Keith M. Reynolds ◽  
Patricia Manley ◽  
Steven Paplanus
Keyword(s):  
Decision Support ◽  
Conservation Management ◽  
Strategic Decision ◽  
Management Planning ◽  
Strategic Decision Support

scholarly journals Framework for optimization of long-term, multi-period investment planning of integrated urban energy systems

2021 ◽  
Vol 292 ◽  
pp. 116880
Author(s):  
Iris van Beuzekom ◽  
Bri-Mathias Hodge ◽  
Han Slootweg
Keyword(s):  
Energy Systems ◽  
Investment Planning ◽  
Urban Energy

scholarly journals Responding to unforeseen disasters in a large health system

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan J Hannan ◽  
Margaret K Lundholm ◽  
Dennis Brierton ◽  
Noelle R M Chapman
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Health System ◽  
Disaster Response ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Strategic Decision ◽  
Pharmacy Services ◽  
Efficient System ◽  
Team Members

Abstract Purpose To describe how health systems may respond to sudden changes in operations by leveraging existing resources and to share one organization’s experience responding to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Summary In a health system based in Illinois and Wisconsin, pharmacy services are provided by a single, integrated department responsible for all aspects of pharmaceutical care within the organization. Hospital, retail, ambulatory care, and population health services are all managed under one leadership team. All pertinent ancillary services are also managed within the department, including informatics, supply chain, and drug policy. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the pharmacy services leadership has successfully managed volume and capacity challenges by redirecting resources to where they are needed. A disaster response framework based on Federal Emergency Management Agency guidance was put in place, and change management principles were used to rapidly operationalize change. Components of the nimble response have included quickly increasing capacity, thoughtful and timely communication to all team members, strategic decision making with available data, creating an agile pool of labor, and maintaining an efficient system supply chain. Well-being and resilience are emphasized alongside reflection on lessons learned. Some changes made in the urgent response to the pandemic are being considered for long-term implementation. Conclusion Organizations have the potential to respond to almost any situation if they are integrated and teams work together to build flexibility. The keys to success are thoughtful maximization of existing resources and strong communication.

scholarly journals THE METHODOLOGICAL FOUNDATION FOR STRATEGIZING THE SOCIOECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF UZBEKISTAN

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saida Mirziyoeva ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Socioeconomic Development ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
National Development ◽  
Development Strategies ◽  
Strategic Decision ◽  
Global Trends ◽  
Methodological Foundation ◽  
Decision Making Processes

This book examines theoretical, methodological, and empirical issues of the adoption and realization of national development strategies in the case of contemporary Uzbekistan. A comparative analysis of peculiarities of making national strategies in developed and emerging market countries is performed. The methodological approach to identifying long-term global trends to incorporate them into the national development strategies by the example of scientific and technological trends is justified. Strategic priority areas of the national economy of Uzbekistan are justified. The book is expected to be highly beneficial to the field scholars, economic practitioners, members of academia, graduate students and researchers, as well as to the national and regional statesmen, executives who are involved in the strategic decision-making processes.

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