AWWA CSC92001

Regardless of the size of a utility or the requirements for hardware or software, the organization should follow a logical and well defined process of planning, analysis, evaluation, negotiation and implementation as outlined by this author. Before embarking on a systems decision, a management plan must be completed as a means to establish the goals and objectives agreed upon by management for the future. A needs assessment should then be developed to understand what is in place and why it evolved, as a means to determine the future needs based upon the management plan. The final translation of needs into a solution will take place by use of specifications which will be the basis for preparing a request for proposals and then proceeding with the evaluation, negotiation and installation processes.