NAMS as part of IPWEA, is interested in the ISO 55000 Asset Management Standards, for the benefits the Standards can bring to Councils, through a management systems approach. Engineering management by its very nature is well attuned to applying a ‘systems philosophy’ but the real benefits accrue when the whole organization embraces these principles. The leadership and commitment required from top management under the Standards all lead to a greater collaboration and striving to meet corporate objectives across the whole organization. This is done with a focus on maximizing value from how the assets are employed to deliver services by balancing risk, cost and opportunity.
Whilst some are looking to the Standards and seeking certification of conformance as a means of assuring stakeholders that they are applying good practice, the majority are exploring the Standards for the benefits they can see in helping drive better business practices across the organization.
IPWEA‘s many Guidelines and Manuals like the IIMM, AIFMM, NAMS.PLUS provide the necessary ‘How to’ guidance on applying the ‘What needs to be done’ as stated in the Standards. Other resources such as the maturity assessment frameworks available to NAMS.PLUS subscribers help management to test the alignment of the organisation’s practices against the Standards requirements. In this way, priorities can be established that focus on improvements needed to close the gaps between current and desirable practices. These are a great way to plan for a sustainable future.
This Paper explores the many benefits that can be realized by any Council, applying the ISO 55000 AM systems approach and how best to utilise the many IPWEA resources to implement appropriate alignment with these Standards to achieve those benefits.