Asset Management

Our decision support tools help owners prioritise projects and programs, understand tradeoffs, measure benefits and evaluate risk in order to determine the best investment and policy strategies. These tools allow the asset owner to model a range of operational and capital investment scenarios and determine the corresponding future network condition to allow more informed whole of life decision making at the investment stage. This modeling provides the ability to show
network condition maps through future years as a result of the applied funding levels and ensures changes in funding can be easily compared to show future network condition.

Good data is integral to an effective asset management system. A robust data management strategy uses data collected and generated from an asset to inform decision making. Our capabilities range from on the ground data collection, inventory collection, condition analysis and reporting to site specific deterioration modeling. HDR specialises in data collection and analysis of a range of asset classes from roads and pavements to bridges and other structures.

We help develop analytical frameworks and dashboards to understand, communicate, and harness asset data, leading to more advanced analytics (such as transitioning from reactive to predictive and prescriptive analytics) to helping guide organizations to comprehensive life cycle asset management, operation and performance.

Understanding the current state of the assets is critical to optimizing service delivery and maintaining safety. An organization needs to know what they have and the condition it’s in, in order to optimize the value of the assets and validate that the assets are in a state of good repair. We first support organizations in understanding their asset inventory and condition needs. What data is needed to support decision-making? What data is currently available? What is the most cost effective and safest way to collect the missing data? Once these key questions are answered, we can conduct the asset inventory and/or condition assessment as well as provide post-processing support. We utilize the latest technology and approaches to data acquisition and post data processing (artificial intelligence, light detection and ranging, unmanned aerial vehicle, etc.).

HDR works with clients to develop fit-for-purpose systems that become valuable tools in the asset management process. HDR has developer level expertise in Deighton’s Total Infrastructure Management System (dTIMS) software tool that provides one platform for data storage, analysis, reporting and the development of optimised works programs. We are able to work with our clients and tailor system solutions based on the size of the network and the outputs required. HDR
provides this service in house, developing optimised OPEX and CAPEX works programs to achieve organisational goals and outcomes. We also work with clients to develop in-house systems and provide the ongoing training and support to build asset management capability within your organisation. HDR provides the ability to incorporate your existing systems into an overall asset management system.

Strategic Asset Management Planning is crucial to developing clear strategies and objectives for the management of an organisation’s assets. This planning process brings together the organisational plan, asset management policy, asset management systems and high level objectives of the organisation. The content of the Strategic Asset Management Plan (SAMP) is driven by the processes outlined in ISO55001 and identifies the objectives that address both the assets
and the tools for managing them, supported by high level actions or initiatives. HDR can develop your Strategic Asset Management Plan or provide advice on ensuring existing systems comply with ISO55001 guidelines.

To support asset management, we work with organizations to further dive into the operation and maintenance of their assets. We not only develop predictive models to help organizations understand and communicate the relationship between funding and future asset conditions, we also support integrating reliability-centered maintenance and conducting failure analysis to improve decision-making and funding prioritization. The result of this process is a set of condition targets that help communicate priorities, guide programming decisions, serve as a basis for tracking progress towards goals, and improve accountability. 

Traditionally works programs are developed based on visual inspections and existing levels of funding on an asset by asset basis. At HDR, we utilise existing asset information and combine it with our experience in modelling alternative maintenance techniques to achieve optimal network wide investment scenarios. This targeted investment ultimately leads to an improved whole of network condition using existing funding arrangements. The challenge for asset owners lies in stretching the maintenance dollar further to reach organisational goals of providing a safe and efficient asset base. At HDR, we also collaborate with contractors and asset owners to guide existing funding where it works the hardest. The key is determining which point to invest in the life of the asset to give the most long term benefit for the asset and the organisation.