Optimizing infrastructure resilience through utility maturity

The increasing frequency and severity of disruptions due to technological advancements, aging infrastructure, climate change, natural disasters and complex interdependencies necessitate robust resilience in organizations managing critical infrastructure assets. This dissertation explores the maturity of organizational resilience in the context of infrastructure asset management, emphasizing the significant influence of public policy on this maturity.The maturity level of an organization's (like public utilities) resilience in infrastructure asset management is significantly influenced by the integration of comprehensive public policy frameworks. The framework integrates key elements of risk management, organizational culture, technology adoption, stakeholder engagement and funding strategies to provide a holistic approach to resilience. Organizations that align their asset management practices with these policies exhibit higher maturity.This research defines and evaluates organizational maturity across five levels (BMSSO): basic (nascent), managed, standardized, strategic and optimized. It examines how key public policy components (elements or dimensions) - risk assessment mandates, organizational culture, technology adoption, funding strategies, and stakeholder engagement, impact these maturity levels. The study employs a mixed-methods research design, combining qualitative and quantitative data from case studies, surveys, and analytical modeling.The methodology encompasses a fairly comprehensive literature review, in-depth case studies of organizations in Florida with varying resilience and maturity levels, and extensive surveys and interviews with stakeholders from the infrastructure management and public policy sectors. Statistical analysis is used to evaluate the correlation between the integration of public policy dimensions or elements, maturity levels and infrastructure resilience.The findings and industry experts reveal that organizations proactively incorporating robust public policy frameworks into their asset management practices demonstrate significantly higher maturity. Critical metrics for assessing maturity to determine infrastructure resilience include the frequency and thoroughness of risk assessments, level of commitment from organizational leaders and employee engagement, technology integration and innovation rate, involvement rates of stakeholders, and the availability and effective use of funding for asset management initiatives. For this study, based on recent industry trends the effectiveness of funding strategy done right equates to optimizing infrastructure resilience.This dissertation contributes to the field by providing a validated model for assessing organizational or utility maturity and highlighting the crucial role of public policy in fostering resilient infrastructure and smart asset management practices. Smart practices help organizations stay focused on operational efficiency and data-driven decisions. The research offers practical strategies and recommendations for organizational leaders and policymakers to enhance infrastructure resilience, ensuring sustained operations and long-term organizational success. These insights aim to guide the development of more resilient infrastructure systems capable of withstanding and adapting to diverse disruptions.