This paper describes how a decision support system (DSS) assisted Tampa Bay Water in accomplishing its objective of reliably providing its members with supplies of high-quality water, and thus meeting present and future needs in an environmentally and economically sound manner. A decision support system typically links three components: models/analytical tools, data
bases and a graphic user interface (GUI). In general, decision support systems grew from a
need to evaluate large unstructured problems that involved management judgment and
decision-making.
A DSS offers immediate benefits to Tampa Bay Water that include:
increasing efficiency in decision-making and operating new supply sources;
enhancing the management effectiveness of complex water resource systems;
improving the agency's data collection, storage, and retrieval process;
facilitating regulatory compliance and reporting; and,
providing for repeatable decision-making in a complex and dynamic water supply
environment.
The Water Resources DSS Program project is divided into two phases. Phase I involves an
assessment of needs and the overall design of the DSS. Phase II focuses on the
implementation of the solutions identified in Phase I. The following tasks were included in
Phase I:
assessment of current business and operations systems, processes, and staffing relevant
to the DSS;
gathering and analysis of business and operations process requirements for the DSS;
assessment of the integration of the DSS into future infrastructure and water production
changes;
development of a proposed integrated DSS solution for Phase II; and,
development of a plan for implementing the DSS.
A variety of methods and interactive approaches were used to complete this project. These
approaches included user interviews, interactive workshops, and document/database
reviews. In addition, information was periodically presented to a cross-functional steering
committee for technical review, comment and recommendations. The steering committee
was also instrumental in the initial needs definition and identification of agency
requirements. A management and oversight committee was also established to help guide
the project. Includes tables, figures.
| Edition : | Vol. - No. |
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| Number of Pages : | 13 |
