Implement the Plan
Implementation
Implementation bridges plan development and
operations
 Implementation is the cornerstone of plan
success

Implementation
Need for Plan
Quality of Plan
Link to the Planning Process

The strategy for implementing a plan is part of
the plan

A plan’s implementation strategy will
influences design will influence how it can be
implemented

Policies are not just made & implemented,
rather policy, planning, design &
implementation are iterative, and interlinked
(Alexander 1986)
Avoid

DO NOT develop plans that require enormous
efforts to be sold and that become obsolete
before they are implemented
Implementation of a
Water
Resources Plan Requires
Commitment to succeed
 Plans that are technically and politically viable
 A clear definition of policies, roles and
responsibilities
 Reasonable
 Formal endorsement

Obstacles to
Effective Implementation
Lack of a clear mandate
 Plan ambiguity
 False assumptions
 Reliance on “wished-for” conditions or behavior
 “Passive aggression”
 Resistance to change
 Lack of inter-agency coordination
 Personnel changes
 Insufficient resources

For Successful Plan Implementation
Plans must be developed with implementation
in mind
 The planning process must be viewed as fair
 Links to formal channels of decision making
must be established
 Broad-based endorsement must be obtained
 Implementation plans must be developed
 Plans should be tested prior to implementation
 Political analysis must be incorporated into
plan development

If Plans are not Implemented

Changes in political or administrative leadership
may erode its infrastructure

The credibility of the planning process will suffer

Trust among managers, stakeholders and decision
makers may deteriorate

The status quo will prevail

Resources will be lost

Parties may be reluctant to participate in future
planning efforts
The DPS Planning Process Provides a Strong
Foundation for Plan Implementation
Links with decision makers are created
through circles of influence
 Managers and stakeholders develop a shared
interest in plan outcomes
 A broad-base of support is generated
prior to implementation
 Shared vision models enhance plan
communication
 Virtual droughts are used for plan testing,
evaluation & maintenance

Implementation Plans Contain

Descriptions of the tasks required to
implement reach recommendationons for
inter-agency coordination

Provisions for adequate resources and training

Public relations strategies

Timetables for implementation
Securing Commitment
From Decision Makers

Make the bottom line clear

Communication is essential
Tools for Plan Communication

The Shared Vision Model

Decision matrices

Other comparative displays
Partnering Agreements

Establish a continuing collaborative process

Support the maintenance and use of the
Shared Vision Model

Identify roles, relationships and
responsibilities of water managers

Establish the legal bounds on the agreement

Specify when virtual drought exercises will
be held
When Resources are Limited
Consider
1. Can the agency be enhanced with new
resources?
2. Can existing resources be betterng goals?
3. What is the organizational capacity
carry out various functions?
to
Is the Planning Effort Complete?

Plan implementation is not the end of the
planning process

Long-term effectiveness must be sought

Provisions for plan maintenance must be
established

Institutional commitment to this process must
be obtained
Summary

Planning is an essential activity.

Water Resources Planning is a complex
activity, requiring cooperation among a wide
variety of managers and stakeholders.

Federal water planning has a long history,
which has led to the development of Principles
and Guidelines.

The DPS planning paradigm makes use of
federal guidance, new technology, and conflict
resolution.
Exercise
Typical Tasks in Plan
Implementation
When no Alternative Reduces
Impacts Enough

Accept the status quo

Push for a strategic solution

Pursue the plan that helps most stakeholders

Pursue the plan that helps most stakeholders,
but with payments to those who are hurt

Accept a plan principle, but agree to proceed
with it during a drought only if possible losses
do not materialize
Changes in Law and Regulation

Can be very difficult; post-study funding
source?
Environmental Review

NEPA - EA/EIS for changes in federal
operating policies
Jurisdiction

Institutionalization is greatly simplifies if the
are of concern lies in a single state, or if it is
encompassed by a River Basin Commission

Otherwise, interstate agreements or
memoranda of understanding will be
necessary
The danger in not formalizing the plan
is that a change in political or
administrative leadership may lead
to decay of the plan’s infrastructure.
It must be emphasized that political
interest in drought quickly wanes
when the crisis is over.
Donald A Wilhite
Decision Matrix