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From Functional‐ to Process‐based Utility Management
Author(s) -
Gaha James A.,
Chilton Richard A.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
journal ‐ american water works association
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.466
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1551-8833
pISSN - 0003-150X
DOI - 10.1002/j.1551-8833.2004.tb10641.x
Subject(s) - process management , risk analysis (engineering) , process (computing) , business , asset (computer security) , service (business) , asset management , computer science , industrial organization , operations management , marketing , computer security , economics , finance , operating system
This article states that if the goal of a utility is to achieve desired service levels for its customers in the most cost‐effective way, then holding onto functional organizational approaches will be an impediment. To respond successfully to ever‐increasing demands from customers and regulators, utilities need to turn to a holistic management approach and move from a functional‐based to a process‐based organization. This change cannot happen overnight as business and asset capabilities have to change incrementally and in phases. Once this change is adopted, successfully responding to increases in demand, regulatory requirements, infrastructure deterioration, and political and economic forces will not be as overwhelming.