When responses from AMWA’s 2016 Utility Financial Information (UFI) survey are compiled and released, members will have new ways to view and analyze the collected data. AMWA is creating a data access and visualization application – or dashboard – that members can use to better understand the wealth of UFI intelligence.
The fifth iteration of the biannual UFI survey was launched the week of September 12 to gather updated content for this unique database of detailed financial information from the nation’s largest public drinking water systems. Once the survey closes on November 18, the responses will be assembled and analyzed. Access to the database and dashboard will be provided in early 2017 exclusively to member utilities that participate in the survey.
UFI data are collected from responses to more than 150 questions, with nearly 600 metrics collected per respondent. The scope of the survey produces a wealth of information on rates, revenue sources and expense categories. Such relevant comparative data from peer water utilities can be used to better understand cost drivers, identify different alternatives for funding these costs, and access analogous information for reports and presentations that put financial needs into context. The UFI resource now includes data from the years 2008 to 2014 and with the addition of the 2016 responses will be an even more robust tool for tracking trends over time.
The new dashboard, developed for AMWA by Raftelis Financial Consultants (RFC), is being designed to employ dynamic visualizations of the data to help users understand results more easily than viewing tabular information from Excel spreadsheets. Users will be able to perform comparisons between respondents on most metrics and to view trending between surveys on selected metrics.
RFC will provide a preview of the new UFI dashboard during AMWA’s 2016 Executive Management Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona, October 16-19.