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 3.3.2 Requests for new equipment such as trucks, have to compete with
vehicle requests for other base activities. Replacement of completely worn
out equipment is more normal than replacing just to keep with state-of-the-art
practices.
3.3.3
Any request for funds must be accompanied by a cost-effectiveness
analysis.
3.3.4
Planning Steps
3.3.4.1 In most cases, the engineer and the decision maker do not
have an opportunity to study the entire solid waste management system and
develop a total knowledge of the base under all conditions. Time and economic
constraints often lead to decisions based on little or no information. In
order for engineers and decision makers to be able to respond to these
situations and to ensure that the best use is made of time and available funds
in the resolution of solid waste management problems, the following step-by-
step planning procedure is recommended.
3.3.4.2 Step 1: Problem Definition and Specification. The first
and most critical step in any planning study is to obtain a clear problem
statement and corresponding specifications from the persons responsible for
making decisions about solid waste management. Problem statements and speci-
fications usually are derived from the concerns of the public or regulatory
agencies. Difficulties often arise because solid waste Systems are not well
understood at all levels of decision making. Consequently, the engineer may
have to redefine a problem that was originally specified at a higher level.
3.3.4.3 Step 2: Inventory and Data Accumulation. An inventory is
made of all pertinent factors about the installation, and data are collected
as needed to meet the problem specifications. The main purpose of the
inventory is to define the existing solid waste system(s) as completely as
needed and as accurately as possible and to collect certain other basic
information (such as population data)--a task that requires a considerable
amount of judgment. It is an important step in planning because all
subsequent recommendations for action will be based on the findings of this
step. Therefore, it is essential that at this level of planning all the
functional elements of the solid waste management system be considered.
3.3.4.4 Step 3: Evaluation and Alternative Development. This step
involves the detailed evaluation and analysis of the data accumulated in Step
2. During this step the programs of the plan begin to be formed. In some
cases, it may be necessary to collect additional data and information.
Reliability and maintainability must be considered when evaluating alterna-
tives. However, before the programs are formed, it is important to review the
original problem statement and specifications. Often some revisions are
needed in light of the data gathered during the inventory.
3.3.4.5 Since a problem can have more than one solution, it is
beneficial for decision-making purposes to develop alternatives composed of
one or more programs. When practical, these alternatives shall be documented
for presentation in the plan.
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