Machine derived contents note: Preface -- List of figures -- List of tables -- Glossary and conventions -- Abbreviations -- Part I. Poverty, Canals and Commonsense: 1. Potential for the poor -- 2. Thinking about canal irrigation -- Part II. Normal Error: 3. Learning and mislearning -- 4. Normal professionalism -- 5. Fixation below the outlet -- Part III. Professional Gaps as Centres: 6. Main system management: the central gap -- 7. Canal irrigation at night -- 8. Farmers above the outlet -- 9. Managers and motivation -- Part IV. Analysis and Action -- 10. Diagnostic analysis: problems and approaches -- 11. Practical action -- References -- Index