Who initiates the planning process? The process may be initiated external to the basin e.g. a requirement of the national water law, or from within the basin. Practically though, for a basin plan to be implemented it has to belong to the RBO or responsible government agency at the basin level who must be available to lead the process A multi-sectoral approach should be recognised as essential considering that many actions proposed in the plans will be accomplished by other agencies than the water management agency. For example erosion control may involve the departments of forestry or agriculture, monitoring pollution may be a responsibility of the environmental agency etc. The success of the water management plan requires the support of other sector players from the onset. Conclusive step for this phase will be the setting up of a team to develop the plan and agreeing on the process to be followed.