Revisiting the Steps to Effective Utility Management: Part II
In November 2009, EGP PLLC reminded you of the "Ten Attributes of Effectively-Managed Water Sector Utilities" and their value to your utility. These attributes were identified in 2008 when six major water and waste water associations joined with the EPA to develop and issue a primer in an effort to create building blocks to improve performance. This month EGP PLLC would like to present to you the five “Keys to Management Success” identified in this primer and what they mean for you.
- Leadership – Leaders are champions for improvement and provide continuity and direction for day-to-day management of the utility. Positive change should be embraced and communicated by the leaders of the utility’s employees, customers, and stakeholders.
- Strategic Business Planning – Management should implement a strategic plan that includes assessing current conditions, strengths, and weaknesses; assessing the underlying cause and effects of various courses of action; and establishes a vision, objectives, and strategies for the utility. Implementation steps as well as measures of progress should be clearly defined and communicated to those impacted.
- Organization Approaches – Management should actively engage employees in improvement efforts; implement a change management process to encourage employees to embrace the change; and utilize implementation strategies that celebrate step-by-step victories. This will encourage employees to take ownership and be part of the improvement efforts.
- Measurement – Each utility should implement measures that gauge the ten attributes of effectively managed water sector utilities. These measures will be discussed in more detail in the July 2010 newsletter.
- Continual Improvement Management Framework – Management should implement a “Plan-Do-Check-Act” framework where changes are planned, executed, evaluated, and necessary adjustments are made based on the evaluations. This includes the implementation of periodic management self-assessments; sessions with customers, stakeholders, and other interested parties to identify improvement opportunities; clearly defining policies, roles, and responsibilities within the utility; regular follow-up on ongoing projects; and responding to evaluations received through the change management process.
In our next newsletter, we’ll explore the five step assessment process for your utility. As always, EGP PLLC is available for your water and waste water utility’s financial audit and consulting needs Adapted from “Effective Utility Management: A Primer for Water and Waste water Utilities” issued June 2008 At EGP PLLC, our personnel have a 25 year history of providing professional services to municipal water and sewer departments. We believe that we have more experience with municipal water and sewer departments than any other firm in the state and would like to provide our expertise to your company. Our firm continues to meet all educational requirements to perform governmental audits, including Single Audits under A133.
