20:34
WMGT 301: 2.1 Visibility
AFIT, The Civil Engineer School
Overview
This video introduces the concept of asset visibility within asset management, emphasizing its role in informed decision-making. It defines asset visibility as having accurate data that supports operational and strategic decisions, leading to data-driven outcomes. The content explores the importance of visibility at both tactical and strategic levels, differentiating between persistent and dynamic data types. It also highlights various tools and approaches for collecting and utilizing this data, such as sustainment management systems and different data collection methods, ultimately aiming for optimal resource investment.
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Chapters
- Asset visibility is defined as having accurate data that supports decision-making, leading to data-driven operations.
- It answers key asset management questions: What do you have? What condition is it in? How important is it?
- Visibility provides awareness and a clear picture of assets, portfolios, and infrastructure.
- At a tactical level, it helps understand inventory, identify blind spots, and pinpoint critical or problematic assets.
- At a strategic level, it forms the foundation for managing risk, performance, and life cycles, and justifying investments.
Understanding asset visibility is crucial because it enables informed decisions that optimize resource allocation, manage risks effectively, and ensure the long-term health and value of an organization's assets.
Knowing the exact number and condition of light bulbs, linear feet of plumbing, or transformers on an installation to understand inventory and identify potential issues.
- Persistent data remains constant over time, such as a facility's construction year or unique identifier.
- Dynamic data changes over time, including an asset's current condition, age, or repair costs.
- Accurate collection of both persistent and dynamic data is essential for comprehensive asset visibility.
Distinguishing between persistent and dynamic data helps in understanding what information is stable and what requires regular updates, ensuring that decision-making is based on the most current and relevant asset information.
A facility built in 1982 (persistent data) might have a condition index of 78 this year, which could drop to 74 in six months (dynamic data).
- Asset visibility is applied through inspections, inventory management, and condition assessments across different asset types (facilities, transportation networks, utilities).
- Linear segmentation is important for utilities, breaking down long lines into manageable sections based on material or length.
- Maintenance history provides valuable data for planning future work and scheduling preventive maintenance.
- The goal is to move from facility-level data to section-level data for more precise life cycle management.
Practical application of asset visibility, especially at the section level, allows for more targeted maintenance, better life cycle planning, and ultimately, more effective investment of resources.
Instead of just knowing a building was built in 1982, knowing a specific air handling unit within that building was installed in 2007 provides critical information for replacement decisions.
- Asset visibility involves a balance between breadth (how many assets are inventoried) and depth (how much information is known about each asset).
- The optimal balance depends on the specific situation, available resources, and the risks associated with insufficient data.
- Data collection should be purposeful; avoid collecting information that does not serve a clear objective or support decision-making.
- Prioritize data collection for critical systems, components with high mission dependency, or those in low condition.
Effectively balancing breadth and depth ensures that data collection efforts are efficient and provide the most valuable insights without overwhelming resources or collecting trivial information.
Deciding whether to track every single light bulb (high breadth, low depth) or focus on the condition of major systems like boilers (lower breadth, high depth) based on mission criticality and available resources.
- Sustainment Management Systems (SMS) like Builder, Paver, and the upcoming Enterprise SMS (ESMS) are key tools for collecting and managing asset data.
- Data can be collected through dedicated Facility Condition Assessment (FCAT) teams or a maintenance-based approach where shops assess assets during routine work.
- Guidance documents, such as the SMS Playbook, provide detailed instructions for assessing various asset components.
- The ultimate aim is a comprehensive inventory that leads to better-informed decisions about asset life cycles and optimal resource investment.
Utilizing appropriate tools and methods ensures that asset data is collected systematically and accurately, forming a reliable basis for all subsequent asset management activities and decisions.
Using the Builder SMS to track the condition of the seven critical systems within a facility, informed by assessment manuals for specific components like roofing.
Key takeaways
- Asset visibility is the foundation for effective asset management, enabling data-driven decisions.
- Accurate data, encompassing both persistent and dynamic attributes, is essential for understanding asset status.
- Visibility is critical at both tactical (day-to-day operations) and strategic (long-term planning) levels.
- Balancing the breadth and depth of data collection is key to efficient and impactful asset management.
- Purposeful data collection, focusing on what supports decision-making, prevents wasted effort.
- Sustainment Management Systems are vital tools for consolidating and analyzing asset information.
- Understanding asset condition and function at a granular (section) level leads to better life cycle planning and investment.
Key terms
Asset VisibilityData-Driven DecisionsPersistent DataDynamic DataBreadth vs. DepthSustainment Management System (SMS)Facility Condition Assessment (FCAT)Life Cycle ManagementTactical LevelStrategic Level
Test your understanding
- What is the core definition of asset visibility and why is it important for decision-making?
- How does asset visibility differ in its application at the tactical versus the strategic level?
- What are the key differences between persistent and dynamic asset data, and why is it important to track both?
- How can an organization effectively balance the breadth and depth of data collection for asset visibility?
- What are the primary tools and methods discussed for gathering and utilizing asset visibility data?