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This paper discusses a recent American Water Works Association Research(AwwaRF) project on "Creating Effective IT Solutions" that has uncovered some of the most effectivepractices in use today, both within water utilities and from outside the water industry.The project approach involved initial participation of thirteen water utilities across North Americato help focus the emphasis of the research effort and provide perspective on their own Information Technology (IT)solutions. The objective was to take a comprehensive view of IT solutions, including impacts byorganization and work practices, and through conducting a consortium benchmarking process,to identify effective practices in each of seven broad IT focus areas. Additional "benchmarking partners" from outside the industry were added during the course of the data collection phase ofthe project. The metric data and practices were further explored and validated through a surveyprocess involving all participants, resulting in case studies of leading organizations based on thesurvey results.From the selected case studies, the leading practices that result in effective IT solutions havebeen identified and verified through site visits. A summary of these practices allows any waterutility to determine where its own opportunities exist for improvement. Utilities can adopt andadapt these practices within their own IT organizations and throughout their utility as a whole.Utility managers are provided with information and steps to create effective IT solutionsincluding:ways to assess where your utility stands in terms of current IT practices;key metrics to show your utility IT performance;leading IT practices from both inside and outside the water industry;understanding of how to achieve results in adopting or adapting leading practices; and,ways to know where to begin and how far to go in making IT improvements. Includes figures.

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Edition: Vol. - No. Published: 06/15/2003 Number of Pages: 4File Size: 1 file , 220 KB