The ‘Line of Sight: an Asset Management Methodology to Support Organisational Objectives’ paper has been published today, 30 July 2021, by the Centre for Smart Infrastructure and Construction (CSIC) and can be read here.
This 10-page, accessible overview of the methodology is aimed at all stakeholders, both technical and non-technical, across asset management organisations, and is the first result of a collaborative project by CSIC, the Construction Innovation Hub and Costain.
The success of an asset management organisation is in the realisation of the full potential ‘value’ of their assets. However, because these assets often number in the thousands and are contained in complex systems of systems, engagement with diverse stakeholders and measuring and monitoring asset value is a complicated challenge.
Lead author of the Line of Sight paper, Dr James Heaton, Digital Consultant at Costain, says: “This challenge can result in a disconnect between the organisation itself and the assets they maintain and operate, with no direct line of sight between Organisational Information Requirements (OIR) and Asset Information Requirements (AIR). A line of sight between OIR and AIR will create a ‘golden thread’ for data and information and enable better-informed decision-making.”
The industry paper describes a structured and repeatable approach to the development of OIR and AIR within the context of an asset management organisation. A novel aspect of the methodology is the use of Functional Information Requirements (FIR) to support the translation from OIR to AIR.
“The Line of Sight Methodology utilises the concepts of Critical Success Factors (CSF) from Requirements Engineering and Plain Language Questions (PLQ) from BIM as a means to support the consistent development of both OIR and AIR,” adds Heaton. “Addressing the challenge of OIR generating AIR, a new set of information requirements at an asset’s functional output level is proposed to bridge that gap, these are called Functional Information Requirements (FIR).”
David Philp, Impact Director Digital, Construction Innovation Hub, in his foreword to the Line of Sight Methodology writes: “The innovative use of Functional Information Requirements (FIR) helps create a direct connection between organisational objectives and AIR, which often lack a clear line of sight. I believe that the Line of Sight Methodology will support an information-led asset management methodology and better support the achievement of organisational objectives.”
Dr Jennifer Schooling, Director of CSIC said: “The importance of achieving a clear line of sight between organisational objectives and asset requirements cannot be understated. Especially so given the extent of our existing asset infrastructure; in the UK we add just 0.5 per cent to its capital value every year [1]. Hence our asset infrastructure will be with us for some time to come and a direct line of sight, a ‘golden thread’ between information on those assets and organisational objectives is absolutely crucial – doubly so as delivery of organisational objectives is impacted by climate change, global pandemics, environmental targets and more.”
The Line of Sight Methodology has already been tested by Jacobs on the Network Rail Transpennine Route Upgrade and industry-friendly tools and guidance on adopting the methodology are in development.
“The Line of Sight Methodology aims to address the fundamental challenge of developing information requirements by developing Organisational and Asset Information Requirements that ultimately enable digital transformation within the industry. This project addresses this challenge by providing a structured approach to the development of information requirements,” said Heaton. “We are actively engaging with the broader industry and collating feedback to ensure that the methodology meets the needs of its intended users. We are keen to hear from companies and organisations in the industry wishing to trial or start using the Line of Sight Methodology.”
- Read the ‘Line of Sight: an Asset Management Methodology to Support Organisational Objectives’ paper here
- For further information and to register interest, please contact James Heaton: jrh212@cam.ac.uk or csic-admin@eng.cam.ac.uk
- Read Dr James Heaton’s Smart Infrastructure Blog that makes the case for the Line of Sight Methodology published on the CSIC website here.
[1] Smart Infrastructure: Getting more from strategic assets, CSIC and industry partners, June 2017