AMS Behavior: Support (2/7) - Competence

Asset Management System Behavior Miniseries

The second topic in this support subsection of the Asset Management System (AMS) Behavior miniseries is competence.  In ISO 55001, competence is evaluated at the person level.  It evaluates if the person who interacts with the AMS on behalf of the organization is competent.  The evaluation of competence applies to positions and roles related to:

• The management of assets (i.e. management of activities related to asset life cycle management),

• Asset management activities (i.e. activities related to enterprise risk management and the management of resource and investment decision making), and

• Operation of the AMS (i.e. activities that support development, maintenance, and improvement of the management system (i.e. policy, objectives, and processes to achieve these objectives) for asset management).

Competency is evaluated in terms of education, training, and experience.  The idea is these are important too, but do not alone determine performance.  Regarding AMS behavior, individual competency involves:

• Determination of competency requirements and measures,

• Association of competency requirements with defined roles, responsibilities, and authorities,

• Alignment of competency requirements with organizational positions,

• Assessment and determination of competency,

• Establishment of competency development processes and qualifications, and

• Periodic review and maintenance of competency requirements.

It is interesting to recognize that ISO 55001 and broadly ISO management system standards define competency as a support activity.  This establishes requirements for top management to define, apply, and establish plans and strategies that define and uphold competency requirements and objectives. 

The resulting AMS behavior distills to leadership’s ability and performance regarding the development, use, and management of competency requirements and objectives.  The performance outcome of these activities is best use of limited resources, achievement of Organizational Objectives (through the management of assets), and fulfillment of the organization’s purpose.  The balance of this article will:

• Correlate how these requirements and objectives are facilitated through the Asset Management (AM) Framework, shown below,

• Align competency develop with the management of assets, AMS operations, and the organization’s approach to asset management, and

• Detail the relationship between competency for individuals and asset management maturity.

Asset Management Framework