May 9 2005
Different industries such as building and construction, railways, highways, water, aerospace, oil & gas and defence have been applying varying infrastructure asset management principles to their operations for years to increase profitability, better manage activities, achieve efficiency gains and to plan for long-term growth. Many of these industries face similar issues, although in different contexts. The constant drive for efficiency savings and safety performance targets calls for sustainable improvements in asset performance. The need to demonstrate best value in public sector procurement is also a major driver to have asset management plans in place. Moreover the increased implementation of procurement methods such as PPP/PFI drives long-term thinking as consortia are required to operate assets typically for 25-30 years. With an escalating infrastructure maintenance bill, UK asset owners are recognising the benefits of managing assets along whole life principles. There is a need for a holistic approach that can bring significant value, and more effective infrastructure asset management in the long term.
This project will promote cross-industry learning by benchmarking and reviewing current practices, documenting asset management practices and lessons learnt from different industries. It will provide comprehensive practical guidance on whole-life asset management strategies, methodologies, processes, plans, techniques, best-practices applicable to different industry contexts, with case-studies. The project is of direct interest to policy makers, regulation managers, asset managers, maintenance managers, facilities managers, finance managers, project managers.
Project status
The first Project Steering Group meeting was held in April 2005 to confirm the project aims, scope, method and outputs. The project team is reviewing past and existing related research in this area and will be developing a benchmarking framework ahead of the next Steering group meeting planned for the first week of September 2005.
Case studies
If you have any examples or case-studies of good practice or any lessons learnt or interest in these issues, then please get in touch with Dr Das Mootanah, Project Manager at CIRIA. (Contributions will be acknowledged or kept confidential as required by the sources.)
Project funders
CIRIA Core members, Highways Agency, London Underground, United Utilities, Network Rail, RCS - Balfour Beatty, Severn Trent Water, Office of Rail Regulation
Research contractor
This project is being implemented in-house by CIRIA.