‘enabling benefits for all from effective use of assets’

In my first column for the Asset Journal as National Chairman, I want to reflect on the journey the Asset Management Council has travelled to arrive at the robust position we find ourselves in for 2010.

2009 saw a proposed revision of the organisation’s rules to ensure we operate within a more modern and rigorous corporate governance structure with national registration of the organisation. This was a major undertaking, requiring many hours of expertise assistance, as well as support from the Chapter Chairs and Chapter Committees. There was clear favourship of the proposed new rules by our members and implementation of the new rules will begin from 2010.

One of the main changes in the rules is that the organisation will move to the ‘Asset Management Council Limited’ model and will be governed by a Board of Directors, with the majority of these Directors to be elected by our Members. Now is the time to join the Asset Management Council as a member to ensure your opinions and votes count.

2009 also saw the development and update of the organisation’s strategic plan for 2010 – 2015.

Our vision for the organisation is:

‘enabling benefits for all from effective use of assets’

We aim to strive for this common goal by focussing on these key deliverables:

·         Facilitate current practitioners

·         Educate the willing

·         Communication

·         Support the able

·         Breakdown the barriers

·         Sharing knowledge

·         Open access

·         Promotion of values and services

·         Create awareness

There is significant work being undertaken to derive the future for the Asset Management Council. Work has commenced on documenting the current state of these deliverables so we can produce the future desired state with measures of our performance.  We believe our involvement in the Global Forum for Maintenance and Asset Management (GFMAM) as a founding member and active contributor will provide a vehicle to help achieve these key deliverables.

With members including Abraman ( Brazil) , EFNMS ( Europe) , FIM ( S outh America ) , GSMP (Arabian Gulf Region) and SMRP ( USA) , the GFMAM shares collaboratively collected advancements, knowledge and standards in maintenance and asset management. The GFMAM also collaboratively develops knowledge, standards and education where gaps exist for the maintenance and asset management professions.

In late 2009, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Abraman and the Asset Management Council to cooperatively build on asset management and maintenance knowledge for our members and the greater industry community.

It is an exciting time right now with the development of creating an ISO standard for Asset Management. To date, we have initiated exploration and alignment of analysis with other Australian representative organisations, including Energy Networks Association, Institute of Public Works Engineering Australia, University of Western Australia and Water Service Association of Australia.

The development of the new strategic plan is aligned with my desire to engage as many of our members as possible to create the future for Asset Management in Australia and become a vital input to the global direction.

I believe 2010 and beyond will present the Asset Management Council members, and the Asset Management and Maintenance community with some challenges that the AM Council are now well placed to help create in the future.  

I hope you will join us for the journey.

John Hardwick.