ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: A new approach which offers considerable potential to the management of complex water supply systems is described. The methodology was developed at the University of Bristol in collaboration with a group of UK infrastructure owners, regulators and engineering consultants. FaberMaunsell have successfully applied the ideas and accompanying software tool, Perimeta, in sectors where the main asset-base consists of complex infrastructure systems. The approach involves representing the infrastructure system hierarchically, incorporating (as appropriate) processes at all levels within the organisation, from high-level business process, right through to day-to-day operational decisions. The performance of each sub-system is captured by a set of performance indicators drawn from a number of sources including inspection records, design calculations, model studies and expert judgements. Some evidence can also be drawn from analogous situations or from the historical performance of the system in question. Uncertainty in the available evidence is made explicit in order to support robust, auditable, defensible decisionmaking.
