WIRADA from the inside - successfully delivering water research into operations

The Water Information Research and Development Alliance (WIRADA) was formed in 2008 as a partnership between the Bureau of Meteorology and CSIRO. WIRADA's purpose is to provide a significant increase in research capability and capacity to assist the Bureau to deliver on its national water information functions. Over eight years of operation WIRADA has delivered significant benefits to Australia and the Australian water sector, as well as contributing fundamental advances to the international body of knowledge in areas as diverse as information modelling and forecasting methods. There are six key elements to the success of WIRADA: i) good governance, accountability, and oversight, ii) clear direction on the operational outcomes sought by the Bureau, iii) clear scientific direction, v) good management and implementation, iv) high quality science, and vi) healthy engagement. WIRADA is served by a clear contractual agreement, overseen by a management committee that meets five times per year to track progress and performance and to approve forward plans. Science quality is assured through planning and peer review, and is directed by a WIRADA Science Plan, while Bureau operational outcomes are also expressed at a high-level in the Science Plan and then reinforced and refined through specific project agreements. The research portfolio is planned and managed on an annual cycle, and research project leaders are accountable for project management and delivery. Overall, CSIRO and Bureau staff work in close partnership to form the multi-year strategies required to deliver sustained outcomes, as well as to work together in ensuring that the high quality science that occurs under each annual plan is targetted and ready to deliver on operational needs.