Building a Consolidated Utility to Meet Future Needs: Strategic Planning, Organizational Change and Performance Management at Aurora Water

In 2005 the City of Aurora's divisions of the utility department made a commitment to become a leader in the utility industry. This commitment formed a foundation for the creation of a strategic vision and direction for the organization and the commitment to significant organizational change. That commitment to change started the process of building a consolidated utility, Aurora Water that would meet the future needs of the City and provide better service to the Citizens of Aurora. Aurora Water wanted to be able to assure that customers would continue to receive reliable and dependable services in the most efficient and cost effective manner possible. In an effort to secure the future success of the Utility it was necessary to develop an understanding of the culture, leadership and processes that made up the organization. This assessment helped frame the organizations Strategic plan, Implementation Plans and Performance Management, (Goal Attainment System).