Page 78 - Urban water supply handbook

STRATEGIC PLANNING FRAMEWORK FOR SMALL WATER SYSTEMS

SMALL WATER SYSTEMS PLANNING 2.11

and temporal planning horizons, more solutions and opportunities may be
revealed in the planning process (Fig. 2.2).

2.3.6 Step 6: Choose a Strategy
Choosing a planning strategy for the water system is facilitated by an options
analysis, in which planners fully consider all tactical and structural options and
identify the optimum solution for a particular utility. For many water systems, a
combination of strategies will yield the best plan of action.
Integrative decision making involves the joint consideration of tactical and
structural options. Doing so requires a degree of nonlinear thinking on the part of
planners. In other words, the best solutions for the long term might not simply line
up in order or reflect a clear sequence of steps for implementation. In some
instances, a structural option (such as a change in management or ownership) may
open the door to other tactical options (such as a change in technical approach) for
fulfilling one or more of the system’s basic service functions.
The analysis of options requires an evaluation framework. The planner will
need to establish a framework that is reasonable for the water system. Some poten-
tial evaluation criteria include:

FIGURE 2.2 Temporal and spatial planning horizons.

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