the factors, steps, requirements and links necessary for capacity to be present for a certain objective.
The capacity matrix is created by first identifying the activities for producing the final output for the objective. For example, if the water management objective is disseminated knowledge of the water resources, the initial activity could be to monitor river runoff in the field, the second activity to deliver the data on a regular basis to the main office, the third activity to quality assure and store the data, and the fourth activity to analyse and present the data in an understandable way to the stakeholders.
For each of these activities the necessary human skills, organisational and financing support and external links must be defined. If one of the intermediate activities is not fulfilled because of insufficient capacity it means that the organisation lacks the ability to meet the objective. The capacity matrix is therefore a good tool to work backwards to find all necessary factors necessary for meeting the water management objectives and implementing the functions.
In the case resources are not sufficient to build capacity for all water management objectives it is important to prioritise the individual objectives. By decreasing the number of objectives resources may be released for fulfilling other. If instead resources are cut generally and evenly over the organisations (that is often the case) there is a large risk that the institutional capacity fails for all basic water resources management functions.
The development of an institutional arrangement for conducting all water resources management functions is a long and on-going process. It is long because in almost all cases financial resources are not sufficient and it is thus necessary to introduce measures in a step-wise approach. It is also a never-ending process since changes occur (naturally or by human influence) in the river basin that forces water management priorities to be reformulated. An adaptive development process is therefore essential.
Figure 2.4: Matrix for identifying activities and factors necessary for an RBO to meet the water management objectives (Ref. Harlin, J. and Lidén, R. (2000) The Streamflow and Sediment Gauging and Modelling in Zimbabwe project (GAMZ). Final report. SMHI-DWD-ZINWA-Sida, Harare, Zimbabwe, June 2000)
OBJECTIVE FACTORS
Water Management Objective Human skills & abilities Organisational Support Financial Support External Support
Final activity to meet the objective
Capabilities
• Technical skill
• Administrative skill
• Managerial skill
• Knowledge
• Conflict resolving and consensus building ability
Efforts
• Will & motivation
• Drive & energy
• Concentration
• Work ethic
• Efficiency
Resources
• Staff
• Technical facilities
• Office facilities
• Equipment
• Transport
• Spares
• Fuel
• Service & maintenance
Specified objectives
• Vision
• Values
• Policies
• Strategies
• Interests
Management
• Planning
• Designing
• Sequencing
• Mobilising
Resources
• Government budget
• Generated income
• Grants from donors
Budget items
• Salaries
• Investments
equipment
vehicles
materials etc.
• Running expenses
Fuel
Spares
Communication
Rental etc.
Input from other water organisations
• National and bi-lateral authorities
• Water Supply Services
• Universities
Stakeholder fora
• Basin committees or councils
• Local Governments
• Water users
Cross-sectoral support
• Governmental ministries
• NGOs