What does perfect Asset Management look like? What’s at the top of the mountain we’re climbing?

And what’s a metaphor between friends?

But to some of us  it’s more a windy, winding road, over yet more hills, where we sometimes see part of the road up ahead, but never glimpse the end.

Why does this matter? Having recently faced a virtual room full of people saying they would know what to do next, if only someone could describe the end state for them: as though Asset Management is an accomplishment, something you can complete. Done, checklist all checked, and move on?

In contrast, is there a destination for, say, engineering? Although many engineers may not examine what they believe, they surely think of engineering more as a state of mind, a way of thinking, rather than something that gets finished. (And who even has a vision of HR?)

We could describe the top of our mountain as the point where everyone takes it for granted that we think longer term, whole system and lifecycle, use information wisely, and truly embrace uncertainty.

But I don’t think that’s what the metaphor betrays. I think it’s more ‘when we have a complete asset inventory and a strategy for every class’ and can stop thinking about them and move onto something more fun.  The way some, at least, appear to think a check the box approach to ISO 55000 is what we need, or even the point.

But, you know, it’s also whether fun to us means continual discovery, the thrill of not knowing and then learning – or getting back to my desk to fill something in.

Roll on, rolling road!