% Improvements \section{Recommendations for the Program} Although the concept of PlayPumps was idyllic in theory, the business strategy that PlayPumps International adopted sabotaged its application. Along with the technology, the focus was flawed: despite being a humanitarian project, there was greater emphasis on pleasing donors and meeting ambitious targets than supplying water to impoverished communities. Overall, a shift in priority and management was necessary to organise this project more effectively in areas of technical design, maintenance and management. \subsection{Management} \subsubsection*{Goals} Before implementation, there should have been more realistic calculations and professional
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A small number of PlayPumps should have been installed in specific communities to test the effectiveness of the program. There should have been at least a monitor period of about 12 months on these prototype PlayPumps for PlayPumps International to collect data on the project. When initial signs of failure began to show, rather than urgently increasing production to satisfy promises of donors, PlayPumps International should have halted new installations and investigated the failed projects closely to mend their design, program and business model to prevent these occurrences in the future. Even Kristina Gubic, a reporter who was involved in the marketing campaign, admits that PlayPumps International should have been ``less focussed on achieving quantity and more focussed on getting it right from the outset.'' [5] Slowing down production would have saved millions of funding dollars to be used to repair troubled PlayPumps or fund more effective alternative …show more content…
This must include how to repair the PlayPump (for minor concerns), who to contact, and where to seek a sustainable backup source of water. [22] If neighbouring communities need to collaborate when their water system fails, the dealings must be finalised before any major installations occur. This would help defuse future tensions between locals. \subsection{Technical} \subsubsection*{Functionality} Redevelopment of a design with a longer pump stroke length would increase efficiency by allowing a greater amount of water to be pumped per rotation. Smaller tanks (1000L instead of 2500L)[9] should be used to store the water as this would save money, seeing as most communities never filled their current ones with water and thus do not need such a large tank. [12] \\ Several stand posts/ taps, as opposed to a single one, would allow for more children to simultaneously get water. Additionally, shrinking the tap size would reduce flow and wastage. Creating a system of smaller tanks/ pipes leading to other areas that is connected to the main pipe could provide water for other purposes.[9] For example, a pipe leading to taps near toilets for washing hands would help to promote hygiene and prevent
A small number of PlayPumps should have been installed in specific communities to test the effectiveness of the program. There should have been at least a monitor period of about 12 months on these prototype PlayPumps for PlayPumps International to collect data on the project. When initial signs of failure began to show, rather than urgently increasing production to satisfy promises of donors, PlayPumps International should have halted new installations and investigated the failed projects closely to mend their design, program and business model to prevent these occurrences in the future. Even Kristina Gubic, a reporter who was involved in the marketing campaign, admits that PlayPumps International should have been ``less focussed on achieving quantity and more focussed on getting it right from the outset.'' [5] Slowing down production would have saved millions of funding dollars to be used to repair troubled PlayPumps or fund more effective alternative …show more content…
This must include how to repair the PlayPump (for minor concerns), who to contact, and where to seek a sustainable backup source of water. [22] If neighbouring communities need to collaborate when their water system fails, the dealings must be finalised before any major installations occur. This would help defuse future tensions between locals. \subsection{Technical} \subsubsection*{Functionality} Redevelopment of a design with a longer pump stroke length would increase efficiency by allowing a greater amount of water to be pumped per rotation. Smaller tanks (1000L instead of 2500L)[9] should be used to store the water as this would save money, seeing as most communities never filled their current ones with water and thus do not need such a large tank. [12] \\ Several stand posts/ taps, as opposed to a single one, would allow for more children to simultaneously get water. Additionally, shrinking the tap size would reduce flow and wastage. Creating a system of smaller tanks/ pipes leading to other areas that is connected to the main pipe could provide water for other purposes.[9] For example, a pipe leading to taps near toilets for washing hands would help to promote hygiene and prevent