The original idea for the operational guide series to accompany the utility management standards came from utility managers who participated in a two-year pilot project that was conducted and supported by the American Water Works Association (AWWA) Utility Quality Programs Committee, the AWWA Accreditation Committee, and nearly 30 utility professionals from more than 10 North American utilities. The pilot project assessed the applicability and practicality of the series of AWWA utility management standards by working with two utilities--Birmingham (Ala.) Water Works and Sewer Board and Washington County (Va.) Service Authority--and a team of volunteers from utilities, consulting firms, and other organizations.

During the pilot process, the utility managers requested that AWWA develop some type of guidance or how-to documents to go along with the management standards. These guidance documents would serve two purposes: one, help utility managers understand the purpose and function of these new standards, and two, help them implement and incorporate the standards into everyday operations. From this suggestion the series of operational guides was conceived.