Given the diversity of the individuals and organisations included in the term 'private sector', it should be no surprise that there is a huge number of potential roles for the sector. In relation to water and sanitation services or solid waste management, municipalities can test whether the private sector - in its broadest sense - has the capacity to carry out technical roles, such as design, construction, operation and maintenance, whether it has the financial resources to bring revenue (for long-term investment or ongoing operations) to the partnership, and whether it has the managerial and operational skills to take on overall operational and customer management. Municipalities must also investigate the capacity of the private sector to engage in participatory processes and generally work with poor communities in the city.