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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, databases and a graphic user interface (GUI). In general, decision support systems grew from aneed to evaluate large unstructured problems that involved management judgment anddecision-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 supplyenvironment.The Water Resources DSS Program project is divided into two phases. Phase I involves anassessment of needs and the overall design of the DSS. Phase II focuses on theimplementation of the solutions identified in Phase I. The following tasks were included inPhase I:assessment of current business and operations systems, processes, and staffing relevantto 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 productionchanges;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. Theseapproaches included user interviews, interactive workshops, and document/databasereviews. In addition, information was periodically presented to a cross-functional steeringcommittee for technical review, comment and recommendations. The steering committeewas also instrumental in the initial needs definition and identification of agencyrequirements. A management and oversight committee was also established to help guidethe project. Includes tables, figures.

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Edition: Vol. - No. Number of Pages: 13 File Size: 1 file , 290 KB