Is Certification the Key to Good Asset Management?

Many utility companies are currently considering certification in Asset Management (AM), with the ISO 55000 standard as the foundation. The reasons for this vary, but there is a common need to review, describe, and develop the strategic, tactical, and operational processes related to capital assets. The increasing opportunity to digitize core tasks, the growing need for data-driven decision support in task management, and the expanding requirement for short- and long-term planning of sustainable investments and their documentation are some of the reasons for the rising need to clarify and develop these processes.

The standard provides a good framework for this task, but a more nuanced approach focusing on one or more asset types can also add significant value, just as organizational anchoring is a must regardless of the approach.

At A-2, we help our clients uncover and describe existing core and sub-processes, facilitating and supporting the clarification and implementation of future processes. We base our approach on our clients' wishes and maturity regarding Asset Management.

Our expertise and pragmatic approach can help optimize AM processes at all levels of the organization – with or without certification.

Three Things to Be Aware Of:

1. AM Processes Are Based on Asset Base: Processes describe roles, responsibilities, and task content and exist at multiple levels – from core process descriptions to swimlanes. AM processes are no different from other processes, though there is also a focus on how the processes support optimal and efficient efforts throughout the asset's lifespan.
2. Descriptions Alone Are Not Enough: Processes on paper do not provide much business value. It is only when processes are followed as a premise for daily work, when parts of the processes are system-supported, and when organizational behavior supports a common AM understanding, that the benefits can be realized.
3. A Tailored Ambition Level Is Crucial for Success: Not all organizations are ready for or see the necessity of using the ISO standard as the basis for processes. Additionally, many organizations underestimate the significant change the transition to AM processes entails. Therefore, it is crucial for success to establish the ambition level and the pace at which AM processes can be implemented.