4.1 This practice establishes expected outcomes associated with an asset management system.

4.2 Understand the difference between performance standards and design standards—these are primarily performance statements versus design statements. What is being measured is achievement, not process.

4.3 This practice encourages an inclusive understanding and communication of the outcomes associated with an asset management system. As additional standards are added, comparisons on this basis to other asset management systems can be further enabled.

4.4 This practice, in combination with Practice E2279, should provide an enhanced basis for making decisions surrounding both assets and asset management systems.

4.5 This practice is intended to foster and enable additional standard practices related to or based on the terms and concepts in the outcomes and outcome components. In particular, this practice may suggest a standard for personal and management skills useful in efforts to achieve these outcomes.

4.6 This practice is to evaluate how robust the asset management system is, and guide future corrections and improvements.

1.1 This practice describes expected outcomes associated with an asset management system. It is a measure of achievement rather than process and is performance oriented rather than design oriented.

1.2 Outcomes are defined as information, events, objects, or states of being produced as a result or consequence of an objective, plan, process, accident, effort, or other similar action or occurrence and can be expressed in a quantitative or qualitative manner.

1.3 An output measure is the tabulation, calculation, or recording of activity or effort and can be expressed in a quantitative or qualitative manner. For example, an output is driving 100 mph; an outcome is arriving safely.

1.4 An outcome measure is an assessment of the results of a program activity compared to its intended purpose. This practice assumes that inputs are correlated to known or declared outputs of the system or system component being assessed.

1.5 Consistent with Practice E2452 (EMPM), these outcomes are grouped into process management outcomes and operational outcomes.

1.5.1 Although they may be directly related, strategies and tactics should not be confused with outcomes. Strategies are long-term plans of action designed to achieve a particular goal. Tactics are maneuvers or actions calculated to achieve some end. For example, increasing exercise is a strategy to attain the goal or outcome of fitness. Running is a supporting tactic to achieve the goal or outcome of fitness. Other tactics or groups of tactics may achieve the same outcome. On the other hand, as the definition of outcome indicates, tactics are not required for attaining outcomes. For example, fitness may be an unplanned result of a job requiring physical exertion.

1.6 This practice describes the outcomes at a high level, with limited discussion of each outcome or components of each outcome. The intent is to provide a framework for current and potential additional standards. A cross reference relating current standards to the outcomes is provided in Section 5.

1.7 The outcomes further described in Section 5 are listed in the following:

1.7.1 Process Management Outcomes: 

1.7.1.1 Outcome 1—Mission Support

1.7.1.2 Outcome 2—Accounting and Accountability

1.7.1.3 Outcome 3—Information Management

1.7.1.4 Outcome 4—Planning

1.7.1.5 Outcome 5—Relationships

1.7.2 Operational Outcomes: 

1.7.2.1 Outcome 6—Asset Functionality for Intended Purpose

1.7.2.2 Outcome 7—Resource Optimization

1.7.2.3 Outcome 8—Asset Visibility

1.7.2.4 Outcome 9—Safety and Security

1.7.2.5 Outcome 10—Installation, Movement, and Storage

1.8 In Section 5, a rating scale is provided to quantify in a uniform manner achievement of outcomes and outcome components.

1.9 This practice, in combination with Practice E2279, clarifies and enables effective and efficient control and tracking of assets and may provide an enhanced basis for making decisions surrounding both property and property management systems.

1.10 This practice is intended to be applicable and appropriate for all asset-holding entities.

1.11 This practice covers tangible assets and tangible property as defined in Terminology E2135. Consistent with the nomenclature used, individual portions of the practice may be applicable to more limited subsets of tangible assets, for example, to equipment and not to material.

1.12 This practice assumes competence and subject matter expertise of those performing the assessment and those being assessed. (For example, as specified in the GAO Yellow Book.) The use of professional judgment by asset management professionals is required to achieve desired outcomes.

1.13 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.14 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.