Asset Operations Management | Create an Implementation Team

Once you’ve established objectives and obtained buy-in from all levels of your organization, it’s time to focus on the people. Creating a solid implementation team is crucial when planning an Asset Operations Management (AOM) implementation. This team is one that will bring your company through the difficult moments that are inevitable during the transition process, and the people you choose for each role within the team will have a significant impact on the system’s success. Be sure to dedicate time and effort to determining where team members can perform at their best. 

Select an Asset Operations Manager

A stellar team starts with a strong leader. The first step to building a great team is selecting an asset operations manager, who essentially carries out the AOM vision—the optimization of critical assets within a company. 

While experience in maintenance, reliability, and operations may be an advantage for a candidate, at the end of the day, leadership skills are most important. 

An asset operations manager must:

Lead and manage AOM implementation: As per the title, the asset operations manager is responsible for managing the entire AOM implementation from start to finish—and onward.

Consolidate resources: Part of managing an implementation process is keeping track of resources. An asset operations manager tracks, manages, and consolidates resources to keep the implementation moving forward.

Define key performance indicators (KPIs) for the team: Every company, every team, and every implementation process is a little different, and the same goes for AOM and your organization. As a result, track KPIs that correspond with your particular situation. An asset operations manager takes care of the forethought that goes into determining which KPIs will be most beneficial.

Manage team member responsibilities and performance: An implementation team must work as a group to experience success. The goal of the manager is to appoint team members to tasks that suit them, constantly supervising performance and shuffling roles around as necessary. It’s also essential to realize that a certain amount of communication with team members is important to understanding individual needs; be sure to create regular opportunities for feedback, both for the manager and the team.

Report results to stakeholders: Very early on in the implementation process, stakeholders are going to want to see results, whether positive or negative. The asset operations manager is responsible for understanding, tracking, and communicating results throughout the implementation process and beyond.

Select and oversee the implementation of related technologies: AOM isn’t a one-time software implementation; it involves other technologies that are essential to performance. The asset operations manager must determine the best tools, technologies, and software for the company’s needs and oversee their purchase and implementation. 

Define the Asset Operations Team

A leader can't do much without a team, and the people you choose to fill roles within a team are every bit as important as the manager. 

Selecting team members may be difficult as many factors likely play into the decision. Understanding what will be expected from your team may help you determine the employees who will fulfill the various roles most effectively. Members should:

Understand the vision of AOM: AOM is designed to optimize every critical piece of equipment. Ensure team members know, understand, and are committed to this vision for your company.

Work together to create goals: Goals are absolutely necessary; they give a company a direction to work toward. With the asset operations manager, the team members should work together to form goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. Team members should understand that both individual performance and overall progress will be judged based on the achievement of those goals.

Define KPIs together with the asset operations manager: KPIs are a great way to track and measure outcomes. As mentioned above, discovering the KPIs that are most beneficial to your organization takes some reflection and thought. Both team members and the manager should be involved in this discernment.

Track and communicate progress using KPIs: The team should regularly and consistently watch its progress within the KPIs. This progress should be tracked and communicated to the manager.

Meet with the AOM manager: Communication is key within any team, and so team members should regularly meet with the manager to discuss specific roles and responsibilities, schedule and assign tasks, and receive feedback and support.

Additional AOM Implementation Resources

For more on AOM implementation, be sure to check out the earlier entries in our series:

• 1: Establish Clear Objectives

• 2: Achieve Buy-In at All Levels