In the evolving landscape of social housing, embracing new technologies and practices is essential. However, before diving into significant changes, housing providers must conduct a thorough assessment to ensure readiness.
Adopting the principles of asset management, particularly the ISO 55001 standard, can be a strategic approach to this process.
Understanding Your Business Before Change
An essential first step for housing providers is to understand all facets of their current operations. This understanding forms the foundation for integrating new housing technologies effectively.
Conducting a maturity gap assessment against both ISO 55001and the newly released GFMAM landscape will provide a comprehensive evaluation. Key areas include:
Asset Management Policies and Strategies: Aligning existing plans with new asset management practices.
Customer Viability: Ensuring access to mortgages, government grants, and preferential loans.
External Environment Review: Assessing town planning policies and perceptions to create a modular-friendly housing environment.
Lifecycle Cost-of-Ownership Assessment: Evaluating modular technologies through site visits and selecting the best options.
Resourcing Strategy: Understanding current and needed competencies for new house types.
Non-Human Resources: Assessing depots, plant, and equipment for acquisition and maintenance.
Technical Standards and Legislation: Complying with regulations for new housing technologies, installation, and maintenance.
Lifecycle Delivery Systems Engineering: Managing asset creation, configuration, maintenance, reliability, and decommissioning.
Land Finding and Pipeline Development: Adopting a ‘modular first’ approach and using traditional methods when necessary.
Procurement Processes: Implementing best practices in tendering, contractor engagement, and compliance with relevant legislation.
Contract Types: Reviewing liabilities, insurances, payments, and securities across various contract stages.
Asset Information Management: Evaluating existing data systems and preparing for Building Information Modelling (BIM) and digital technologies.
Risk Management: Planning for risk, contingencies, sustainable development, and continuous improvement.
Developing an Improvement Roadmap
Once the assessment is complete, the next phase involves developing an improvement roadmap and implementation program. This includes:
Asset Management Policies and Strategic Plans: Crafting detailed policies and strategies for asset management.
Improvement Plan: Creating a clear roadmap with activities and timelines for managing new homes.
Commercial Alignment: Ensuring off-site manufacturing aligns with on-site groundwork and infrastructure.
Competency Programmes: Developing training programs for internal teams and suppliers.
BIM Modelling: Implementing BIM models for standardisation and scalability.
Asset Information Systems: Aligning with procurement frameworks and adopting best practices for asset management.
Ensuring Readiness for New Technologies
A thorough assessment of current business and asset management processes will help determine readiness for new housing technologies.
By following industry-standard regulations and guidelines, businesses can self-evaluate and focus on developing clear implementation plans for social housing programmes that adhere to asset management principles.
For more information and to get started on your asset management journey, contact us at contact@asset-wisdom.com