Este trabajo, elaborado de forma comprimida para agilizar la lectura, comienza exponiendo algunos conceptos sobre distintos temas relacionados con el objetivo central, orientado a la identificación de procesos relacionados con la gerencia pública aplicada al desarrollo endógeno, como son los temas de región y territorio, la gerencia en condiciones de mercado y el tema de lo público, para terminar haciendo unas reflexiones en torno a la gestión pública territorial y algunos comentarios sobre la aplicación de los conceptos ordenados mediante el modelo de desarrollo integral que había recomendado el DNP en 2012. La población objetivo a la que se dirige el presente libro es a los estudiantes de pregrado del programa de Administración Pública, con el propósito de generar una reflexión y, si es el caso, abrir un debate que conduzca al mejoramiento de la documentación teórica disponible; pero, lógicamente, también puede ser de utilidad para el público en general y para los servidores públicos del orden territorial que quieran hacer reflexiones sobre la Administración Pública, más cuando en Colombia este aspecto de la organización del Estado es motivo de muchas críticas. Esta es una postura más, entre las muchas existentes, que tiene validez sobre la base de que en los temas de las ciencias sociales siempre se presentan dos o más enfoques, todos respetables aunque no se compartan.

Benchmarking has become a key tool in the water industry to promote and achieve performance targets for utilities. The use of this tool for performance improvement through systematic search and adaptation of leading practices, has expanded globally during the past decade. Many ongoing projects worldwide aim to address different needs and objectives, in varying contexts, with outstanding results and impact. Benchmarking Water Services provides valuable information to everyone interested in benchmarking in the water industry. The text is aimed at utilities considering joining a benchmarking project, experienced practitioners in charge of organizing a benchmarking exercise, consultants, regulators and researchers. The document is presented with a clear practice oriented approach and can be used as a how-to-benchmark guide presented from different perspectives (participants, organizers, supervising bodies). Readers will gain practical insight on real life benchmarking practices and will benefit from the experiences gained in some of the leading benchmarking projects of the water industry (including the IWA-WSAA benchmarking efforts, the European Benchmarking Co-operation and the several benchmarking projects carried out in Austria and Central Europe). The manual also presents the new IWA Benchmarking Framework, which aims to harmonize the terms used to describe benchmarking and performance indicators practices in the water industry, guaranteeing a more fluent and efficient communication. This Manual of Best Practice is edited by the IWA Specialist Group on Benchmarking and Performance Assessment, and co-published by AWWA and IWA Publishing. Praise for Benchmarking Water Services: "The continual trend of conceptual to specifics throughout the book provides for an educational experience each time the book is either casually perused or carefully studied." "The authors (Cabrera, Haskins and Fritiz) diligently pursue the focus of improvement." "Benchmarking Water Services is an in depth and practical ‘must have’ guide for any utility currently engaged in or planning to develop a benchmarking process" - Gregory M. Baird (2012) Benchmarking: An International Journal 19:2. More information about the book can be found on the Water Wiki in an article written by the author: http://www.iwawaterwiki.org/xwiki/bin/view/Articles/TheNewIWABenchmarkingFramework A Spanish language version of this book is available as a free eBook: http://www.iwawaterwiki.org/xwiki/bin/view/Articles/eBookTitlesfromIWAPublishingFreetoDownload-Volume2#HBenchmarkingParaServiciosdeAgua