ABCDE+F: a framework for thinking about water resources management

There is a widely observable pattern of what must be done to make water management consistent with expressed policy: physical accounting for water; a political process of priority setting; rules that reflect policy and define responsibilities; and appropriate engineering works. When things change - due to climate, privatization, or the building of a new dam - feedback mechanisms affect most components of the system. The classification of functions as Accounting, Bargaining, Codification, Delegation and Engineering (ABCDE) provides all the concerned disciplines with a place at the table. Feedback (F) among these elements is the basis for planning the future, addressing problems, or responding to change.