 Defining Project Success
In the "old days" a water project was deemed a
success when it was completed. If the project produced water,
it was a success. Today, water utilities must view success
differently.
If a project is approved and then completed, but citizens
feel railroaded, has it really succeeded? If the value of
public input is discounted, here’s what can result:
-- Public dissent creates a difficult climate for the approval
or completion of future projects.
-- Citizens become motivated to organize and fight future projects.
-- The utility, municipality and/or the engineering firm lose
credibility and are mistrusted by citizens.
-- The utility finds itself the target of repeated attacks by
citizens that garner media attention and eventually erode
credibility.
-- The media look more critically at future projects or even
the operation of the approved project.
These are all unacceptable outcomes.
While an effective public participation program integrated
into a water project is not a guarantee that all outcomes
will be acceptable, it will certainly increase the odds of
success.
Just as many water projects being built today will benefit
future generations, one can think of relationships and credibility
built through sincere public involvement activities as an
investment made for projects yet to come.
|
