The Diagnostic Water Governance Tool is a comprehensive instrument to support integrated management in water catchment areas.
Based on the data entered, the tool provides both a diagnosis of the governance system and recommendations for instruments to improve coordination in water management.
In the past few years, a number of online tools have been developed that provide helpful information for solving water management problems. However, they do not offer any case-specific recommendations for dealing with coordination and cooperation deficits. The Diagnostic Water Governance Tool provides comprehensive support for the implementation of integrated, adaptive water management on a case-by-case basis.
Based on the data that users enter for their respective situation (e.g. a river catchment area), they not only receive a diagnosis, but also specific recommendations for instruments to improve coordination and cooperation in water management. The algorithm for recommending certain instruments is based on the empirical results of the STEER research project.
The tool is divided into three consecutive sections. Based on the information provided by the user on water governance in the respective area, deficient governance variables are identified in a “Diagnosis” step. Then, in the “Therapy” step, instruments are suggested to improve these variables. These can help to strengthen integrated and adaptive water management in a specific case. In addition, the tool enables the results to be further narrowed down based on the context of a specific water catchment area. The tool also includes a database of real-life examples where these tools have been successfully put to use.
The target audience for the tool includes practitioners in water administration and management as well as development cooperation and consulting, but also researchers.
