This paper highlights the study design and key findings of a recently completed research project sponsored by the American Water Works Association Research Foundation (AwwaRF), "Asset Management Planning and Reporting Options for Water Utilities". The project was designed by AwwaRF as a management study to provide comparative case studies in asset management reporting. Case studies were developed for 11 participating utilities to illustrate the outputs that could result from adopting varying levels of asset management programs for a sample of their assets. The 11 utilities were selected to represent a diverse mix of geography (e.g., Seattle Public Utilities, Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority) size (e.g., San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, City of Ann Arbor, Michigan Water Utility) and age of infrastructure (e.g., Santa Clara Valley Water District and the City of Portsmouth, Virginia Department of Public Utilities). The study compares side-by-side the reports that would be generated by basic and higher-level asset management programs. An appendix to the report includes sample outputs for the three asset management options studied for the 11 participating utilities and evaluations of the options and outputs by the utilities. This paper provides an overview of the options studied, and highlights key findings from the evaluation of the options by the participating utilities, which are further detailed in the report that is planned for release by AwwaRF in mid-2005. The study was conducted to aid utilities in developing responsive asset management strategies that comprehensively address utility infrastructure planning, with an emphasis on infrastructure renewal. The examples and analyses included in the forthcoming report are intended to help water utilities identify asset management options that are worth considering and performance measures worth tracking. Information is also provided on data development and maintenance efforts required to implement the reporting options, and potential benefits of the information for management decision-making and advocacy for appropriate renewal and replacement funding with governing bodies and other stakeholders. Includes figures.