[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” positioning=”none” horizontal_offset_tablet=”” horizontal_offset_phone=”” horizontal_offset_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”0px|||0px|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”|||25px|false|false” custom_padding_phone=”” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover_enabled=”on|desktop” custom_padding__hover=”0px|||0px|false|false” theme_builder_area=”post_content” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” text_font_size=”16px” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
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An\u00a0asset\u2019s\u00a0life cycle begins\u00a0here. It is highly likely that at this stage, the asset is part of a collective of assets that are being planned for, rather than a single asset, but this is not always the case. A single asset will be discussed here, with the understanding that assets are\u00a0generally planned\u00a0collectively. The same principles apply in either case.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Planning demands thoughtful\u00a0and detailed analysis of current and future needs and\u00a0a thorough evaluation of what the organization\u00a0requires\u00a0from the asset, and for how long.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n During the planning phase, information about the asset should be collected that will help make decisions going forward. This information\u00a0might\u00a0include:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The planning phase should bring staff from a wide variety of departments into the discussion. It is important to include operations personnel in the review of the asset during the planning, design, and construction phases,\u00a0because they\u00a0will\u00a0be responsible for\u00a0operating\u00a0and maintaining the asset. Involving these individuals early allows them to point out potential problems or suggest alternatives before money has been invested.\u00a0Seeking a variety of input strengthens the sense of team investment while increasing the range of\u00a0factors for\u00a0management to consider.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The planning phase is\u00a0the part\u00a0of the process where you have the most influence over the asset at the least cost. At this stage, the asset is only on paper,\u00a0and it is easy to make a change\u00a0with\u00a0very little\u00a0repercussion. The graph below shows the influence (or ability to make a change to the asset) and the cost associated with the change in each phase.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/swefc.unm.edu\/iamf\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/planning-graph.jpg” title_text=”planning-graph” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” width=”90%” module_alignment=”center” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” align=”center” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”13px” width=”80%” module_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n Adapted from: Gibson and Hamilton (1994) Analysis of pre-project planning effort and success variables for capital facility projects. Construction\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Industry Institute Source Document 105.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” text_font_size=”16px” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n The chart shows cost and influence curves as the project moves through its life cycle phases. The cost is initially low and increases as the project moves to operation. At this point, most of the costs are already sunk. The influence curve\u00a0moves in\u00a0the opposite direction from extremely high at the planning phase to extremely low at the operational phase. The lines cross during the design phase. This is why it is vitally important to consider planning the beginning of the\u00a0asset\u2019s\u00a0life rather than when the asset is turned over after construction.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n During the planning phase,\u00a0evaluate a wide variety of alternatives that\u00a0might\u00a0be capable of achieving or\u00a0maintaining\u00a0the desired level of service and compare the full life cycle costs of\u00a0each. A triple bottom\u00a0line\u00a0assessment should be completed to ensure the benefits of the asset are fully considered and optimized.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n For example, two alternatives\u00a0might\u00a0each be able to provide the desired level of service, but one of them\u00a0might\u00a0be able to provide\u00a0additional\u00a0benefits over the other. In this case, the alternative with the\u00a0additional\u00a0benefits\u00a0might\u00a0be better for the organization. This situation\u00a0can\u00a0be particularly true for green assets,\u00a0which\u00a0might\u00a0achieve the desired result while providing\u00a0additional\u00a0benefits for the community. Evaluating these\u00a0additional\u00a0benefits and how they\u00a0impact\u00a0the triple bottom line and the overall goals of the organization can\u00a0impact\u00a0the decisions made. Some of the benefits include recreation, urban heat mitigation, air quality improvements, flooding risk reductions, improved water quality, absorption of local carbon emissions, increased property values,\u00a0or improved quality of life.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If the desired alternative is one that is\u00a0relatively new\u00a0to the water, wastewater, or stormwater industry, the system\u00a0might\u00a0want to consider implementing a pilot project. A pilot project can\u00a0establish\u00a0the\u00a0asset\u2019s\u00a0ability to achieve the desired result or\u00a0serve\u00a0as proof of concept when seeking approval or funding.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Planning An\u00a0asset\u2019s\u00a0life cycle begins\u00a0here. It is highly likely that at this stage, the asset is part of a collective of assets that are being planned for, rather than a single asset, but this is not always the case. A single asset will be discussed here, with the understanding that assets are\u00a0generally planned\u00a0collectively. The same principles apply in either case.\u00a0 Planning demands thoughtful\u00a0and detailed analysis of current and future needs and\u00a0a thorough evaluation of what the organization\u00a0requires\u00a0from the asset, and for how long.\u00a0 During the planning phase, information about the asset should be collected that will help make decisions going forward. This information\u00a0might\u00a0include:\u00a0 Historical information \u2013 what has worked well in the past and what has not\u00a0 The environment in which the asset will\u00a0reside\u00a0 The level of service the asset must provide\u00a0 Any benefits the asset provides, including a thorough consideration of co-benefits\u00a0 An informed projection of the funding\u00a0required\u00a0to bring the asset on board\u00a0 How much it might cost to\u00a0operate\u00a0and maintain the asset throughout its life cycle\u00a0 Any specialized training that might be\u00a0required\u00a0to\u00a0operate\u00a0and maintain the asset, including higher level operator certification\u00a0 How the asset can be abandoned in place,\u00a0recycled,\u00a0or disposed at the end of life\u00a0 How the asset will\u00a0impact\u00a0the triple […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-6840","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\n\n
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