execution | Resilient Watersheds Toolbox

Purpose

Execution is about operationalizing the WIP and managing implementation, adaptively. Given the heterogeneity of WIPs, the content in this phase is less prescriptive. Generally, however, Execution can be broken down into “Start-up” and “Operation” phases, eventually progressing toward “Maturity” which ensures the building blocks are in place for long-term, sustainable impact.

Core Questions Answered:

How can your WIP maximize operational efficiency & transparency?
How can field monitoring validate results?
Do core Program Vision and associated SMART Objectives require revision?

Core Questions Answered

How can your WIP maximize operational efficiency & transparency?
How can field monitoring validate results?
Do core Program Vision and associated SMART Objectives require revision?

Key Outputs

Workstream

Tools

Key Outputs

Start-UP

Establish the WIP’s Implementing Entity, if an independent program was identified as the best option to achieve the WIPs objectives. Some WIPs choose to initiate the legal processes to become independent, while others postpone this step until they’ve established more of a track record.
Develop Operating Manual that defines the WIP’s processes and roles and responsibilities of key personnel and partners.
Appoint Core Staff to the WIP, which may include the Director, Implementation Manager, MEL Manager, etc.

Operation

Mobilize implementation capacity: whether hiring or outsourcing to contractors or partners, this output may include training and capacity building measures to be able to scale up quickly.
Initiate M&E program defined in the Strategic Plan, ensuring the WIP is well equipped to report on the impact metrics most important to stakeholders
Deliver annual operating plan which details how implementation will be executed and funded, how progress and impact will be communicated, and which aspects of the MEL plan will be implemented.
Provide impact reporting to the core governance members and broader stakeholder group to maintain momentum for your WIP. Be transparent about any indicators that are not progressing as expected.
Secure additional funding commitments to meet the full-lifecycle costs of the WIP, if a funding gap exists.

Example of Execution Plans

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Execution Workstreams

Adaptive Management

As opposed to grey infrastructure programs, the concept of adaptive management provides a major advantage to watershed investment programs. While grey infrastructure is less flexible and often generates “lock in” investment paths, WIPs can adjust their implementation priorities, SMART Objectives, and governance based on the monitored impacts, stakeholders involved, or the scale of funding available. WIPs that employ science-based adaptive management can also provide accountability to a range of stakeholders and easily adjust their rate of implementation.

Generally, adaptive management has five steps:

Identify SMART Objectives including quantified thresholds that determine whether the objectives are being met.
Plan and implement actions that will help your WIP achieve their SMART Objectives. This is likely identified in your Strategic and Annual Operating Plans, and may include NbS implementation, capacity building, and outreach to landholders.
Monitor outcomes of the WIP’s actions using the indicators identified within the MEL plan. The MEL plan will also identify the spatial scale of monitoring, and how indicators will be measured and evaluated, and the frequency with which impacts will be reported.
Review monitoring results against the lifetime and annual objectives set for the WIP. If objectives were not met, stakeholders should assess why and modify next year’s actions, as needed.
Implement changes as agreed upon by the WIP’s governing body.

This adaptive management mechanism should be closely linked to reporting and annual planning and integrated into the Monitoring & Evaluation Framework outlined in the WIP’s Strategic Plan as articulated during Design phase.

Program Maturity

CRITERION 1. Program Vision, Strategy, Planning & Procedures. Indicates whether the WIP has strategic planning documents that guide its work and establish clear financial planning
CRITERION 2. Implementation. Indicates whether the WIP is consistently implementing activities as expected in its Strategic and Annual Operating Plans
CRITERION 3. Measurement & Reporting. Indicates whether the WIP is adequately reporting its work to key stakeholders
CRITERION 4. Sustainable Funding. Indicates whether the WIP has enough funding to reach SMART objectives and have its intended water security impact
CRITERION 5. Governance & Influence. Indicates whether the WIP is an effectively governed decision-making body, and whether its value is recognized in the area where it operates

WIP Maturity Criteria

Execution Workstreams	Criterion Purpose	Criterion Requirements
Strategic Vision, Planning & Procedures	Does the WIP have have strategic planning documents to guide its work and establish clear financial planning?.	Produce Strategic Plan and Annual Operating Plan
Implementation	Is the WIP implementing activities, including NbS investments, as outlined in its Strategic and Annual Operating plans?	Achieve WIP Annual Plan implementation objectives for three consecutive years
Measurement & Reporting	Is the WIP transparently reporting its work to key stakeholders?	Publicly publish Annual Report & Annual Financials for at least one year
Sustainable Funding	Does the WIP have enough funding to reach its SMART Objectives and have its intended water security impacts?	Funding to operate for three years; sustainable funding covers at least 50% of program costs
Governance & Influence	Is the WIP an effectively governed decision-making body and is its value recognized in the area where it operates?	Governed by decision-making body for three years; WIP formally recognized where it operates

Tools to Support Execution

Below are some of the tools that can be used in the Execution stage, you can browse for more tools here.

SWAT: SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) is a comprehensive, river basin-scale model widely used for simulating the impact of land management practices in large, complex watersheds.
WEAP: WEAP (Water Evaluation And Planning system) is a user-friendly software tool that simulates water resources and evaluates water demand, supply, and allocation in watersheds and river basins.
Waterplan: Waterplan is a comprehensive climate platform designed to measure, respond to, and report on increasingly changing water risks.