GPSJ Autumn 2024 ONLINE - Flipbook - Page 20
GPSJ
LOCAL AUTHORITY & COUNCIL
Smart Asset Management: A three-stage
approach for Local Governments
Managing public infrastructure
assets is one of the most
complex yet crucial
responsibilities of local
government decision-makers.
Roads, parks, playgrounds,
drainage systems, street
lighting, public buildings, and
numerous other assets, require
strategic oversight to ensure
their longevity, e昀케ciency, and
cost-e昀昀ectiveness.
A structured, data-driven
approach to asset management
helps local authorities make
informed decisions, optimise
maintenance e昀昀orts, and
align spending with long-term
community needs. This article
outlines a three-stage process to
help councils to establish a strong
asset management foundation,
harness data insights for better
decision-making, and embrace
smart decision-making and
automation for future-proofed
planning.
We call it: Foundation. Insightful.
Smart.
1. Laying a Strong
Foundation
A successful asset management
strategy begins with a solid
foundation built on comprehensive
asset data, proactive maintenance
practices, and 昀椀nancial
transparency.
Reactive Maintenance vs.
Proactive Planning
Many municipalities rely on
reactive maintenance, addressing
asset failures only when they
occur. While this approach avoids
planned downtime, it often leads
to higher costs, unexpected
disruptions, and safety risks.
Shifting toward proactive
asset management minimises
emergency repairs, extends asset
lifespans, and improves service
reliability.
20
Building an Accurate Asset
Register
A centralised and 昀氀exible
asset register consolidates all
infrastructure data in one place,
eliminating the ine昀케ciencies of
multiple disconnected systems.
With a real-time view of asset
location, movement, and
condition, decision-makers can
prioritise inspections, optimise
resource allocation, and ensure
regulatory compliance.
Assessing Asset Condition and
Valuation
Regular condition assessments
help identify underperforming or
aging assets, allowing for better
prioritisation of maintenance
e昀昀orts. Understanding asset
valuation and depreciation trends
also improves 昀椀nancial reporting
and enables data-driven budget
allocation, ensuring that spending
aligns with long-term asset
sustainability.
2. Using Insights to Make
Data-Driven Decisions
Once a strong asset management
foundation is in place, local
governments can shift from
reactive decision-making to
strategic planning by leveraging
data-driven insights.
Preventive Maintenance for
Cost E昀케ciency
Scheduled maintenance activities
reduce unplanned downtime,
lower emergency repair costs,
and enhance worker safety. By
preventing small issues from
escalating into major failures,
councils can extend asset
lifespans and reduce long-term
expenditures.
Contract and Performance
Management
Managing contractors e昀케ciently
is essential for ensuring value for
money and high-quality service
delivery. A structured contract
management system streamlines
service-level monitoring and
auditing, ensuring transparency
and accountability. Additionally,
performance tracking tools
enable municipalities to measure
asset e昀昀ectiveness, track key
performance indicators, and make
informed adjustments to improve
operations.
Sustainable Operations and
Net-Zero Goals
Local governments play a key
role in advancing sustainability
goals. By incorporating carbon
analytics and tracking emissions
across infrastructure operations,
municipalities can optimise
material usage, improve energy
e昀케ciency, and secure funding
opportunities for sustainable
initiatives. Reliable data enables
authorities to make informed
decisions that align with long-term
environmental and economic
goals.
3. Automating for a Smarter
Future
The 昀椀nal stage of asset
management maturity involves
leveraging automation and
predictive analytics to optimise
asset performance and maximise
return on investment.
Predictive Maintenance for
Greater Reliability
Advanced predictive models
anticipate asset failures before
they happen, enabling coste昀昀ective maintenance planning.
This approach reduces downtime,
minimises disruptions, and
extends the operational life of
critical infrastructure.
Asset Lifecycle Modelling and
Capital Planning
Lifecycle modelling allows local
authorities to simulate di昀昀erent
intervention scenarios and predict
funding needs over time. This
data-driven approach enhances
transparency, increases safety
and compliance, and prevents
unnecessary asset failures.
Condition-based capital planning
ensures that investment is directed
toward the most critical assets,
improving 昀椀nancial e昀케ciency and
long-term resilience.
GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC SECTOR JOURNAL WINTER 2024/2025
Strategic Asset Investment
Planning
Real-time data insights empower
decision-makers to optimise
spending, prioritise highimpact investments, and avoid
unnecessary expenditures. By
integrating long-term investment
planning with smart asset
management solutions, local
governments can enhance service
delivery for residents, while also
reducing 昀椀nancial risk.
Engaging Communities and
Strengthening Partnerships
Modern asset management goes
well beyond internal processes – it
also involves engaging residents
and collaborating with industry
partners. Public engagement
platforms allow residents to
report issues, track infrastructure
projects, and stay informed about
upcoming maintenance work.
Transparent communication
builds trust and fosters a stronger
connection between governments
and communities.
Meanwhile, partnerships with
technology providers and asset
management specialists ensure
that municipalities have access
to cutting-edge tools, expert
consulting, and ongoing support
to optimise asset performance and
e昀케ciency.
E昀昀ective asset management is
not just about maintaining roads
and buildings—it’s about making
data-driven decisions that improve
public services, enhance safety,
and ensure 昀椀nancial sustainability.
By following a three-stage
approach – building a strong
foundation, leveraging insights
for strategic decision-making,
and adopting smart automation
solutions – local governments
can maximise the value of their
infrastructure investments and
create smarter, more resilient
communities.
Visit: https://www.
brightlysoftware.com/en-gb/
industries/government
