Choosing an Aquaponics or Hydroponics System
The choice of irrigation method depends on various factors such as costs for the system setup, operating costs, space requirements, water consumption, desired productivity (yield), and many other aspects.
To help you make a decision, we have created an example here that can give you a first impression of the compromises to be expected.
DAR: Decision Analysis and Resolution
The system used in this example is called DAR (Decision Analysis and Resolution) and comes from industry, more specifically, this approach originates from CMMI.
It is a tool for precisely and accurately formulating different variants and alternatives when realizing a complex project, weighting the individual aspects, and thereby making a decision for or against a specific project variant.
Article on the DAR Process (English)Decision Factors
Here is just a simple overview of individual factors. Please contact us for a detailed consultation tailored precisely to you.
- System Type
- Space Requirement
- Energy Requirement
- Fail-Safety
- Productivity
- Implementation Costs
- Operating Costs
- Break Even Point
- etc.
Further Information
Under the keyword Business you will find more information on this.
A First Decision Aid
This is only a small excerpt of the aspects that are decisive in the planning of such systems on the path to realization. Such a project consists of many small decisions for or against a specific approach or investment.
In addition to costs and utilization analysis, there are many expenses that are difficult to quantify, both in terms of time and money. The range extends from site selection, system construction, to employee training and the resulting workload.
Practical Decision Aids
In the following file formats, you will find an example of how such a complex decision-making process can be designed, and how subjective aspects can be quantified and decided more easily in groups.
Even though this is just one approach among many, you will get a first impression of the scope that designing and planning an aquaponics or a pure hydroponics system can take.
DAR in Excel Format
Download Excel 97–2003 (.xls)
DAR in OpenDocument Format
Download Open Document (.ods)Calculation Matrix
Here is a screenshot of the calculation matrix (spreadsheet). You can download it and adapt or expand it for your purposes.
Further Information
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