Subject Specific Guidelines (SSG)
Subject Specific Guidelines
The Subject Specific Guidelines (SSGs) are part of a series of publications designed to expand and enrich asset management knowledge. These guidelines may be either sector-specific: rail, electricity distribution, facilities management or nuclear, or functional: asset information, risk management and decision support.
The published SSGs and those currently being developed cover the 40 subjects that comprise the asset management discipline summarized in Asset Management - an anatomy.
The SSGs are a core element within the IAM asset management knowledge base. Each SSG document covers one or a group of subjects, with broader subjects meriting their own SSG, and closely related subjects being grouped together in one SSG. Those published are available in the online shop.
Using the SSGs
The SSGs identify what should be considered when creating, maintaining and improving asset management capabilities in relation to that subject. Where appropriate SSGs also provide case study examples. SSGs are produced by volunteers, including industry experts, academics and thought leaders, bringing expertise from different sectors and geographies. They are peer-reviewed and support those on their individual and/or corporate journeys in developing their asset management maturity.
Mapping the Existing SSGs Against the 10-box Model
The SSGs were originally developed around the IAM 6-box model and 39 subjects in version 3 of the Anatomy. Version 4 of our Anatomy uses our 10-box model with the IAM adopting this model across all levels of maturity. Existing IAM material will gradually be updated. This means the IAM 6-box model and 39 subjects will no longer be used in forthcoming IAM material. However, the SSGs developed around the IAM 6-box model and 39 subjects are still valid guidance. The following table shows the mapping of the 40 subjects in the 10 capabilities and which existing SSGs should be used as guidance for these subjects. They are also listed below.
Purpose and Context
Organizational Purpose and Context
Existing SSG: To be developed
Planned Start Date: In progress
Planned Publication Date: Q2 2025
Stakeholder Management
Existing SSG: Stakeholder Engagement
Planned Review Date: 3 March 2025
Planned Publication Date: Q3 2026
Leadership and Governance
Asset Management Leadership
Existing SSG: In progress
Planned Start Date: In progress
Planned Publication Date: Q2 2025
Asset Management Policy
Existing SSG: Asset Management Policy, Strategy and Plans
Planned Review Date: 4 November 2024
Planned Publication Date: Q4 2025
Asset Management System
Existing SSG: To be developed
Planned Start Date: In progress
Planned Publication Date: Q2 2025
Asset Management Assurance and Audit
Existing SSG: In progress
Planned Start Date: In progress
Planned Publication Date: Q2 2025
Technical Standards and Legislation
Existing SSG: Technical Standards & Legislation
Planned Review Date: 31 August 2026
Planned Publication Date: Q3 2026
Organization and People
Organizational Arrangements
Existing SSG: Organization, Structure and Culture
Planned Review Date: 17 March 2025
Planned Publication Date: Q4 2025
Organizational Culture
Existing SSG: Organization, Structure and Culture
Planned Review Date: 17 March 2025
Planned Publication Date: Q4 2025
Competence Management
Existing SSG: In progress
Planned Start Date: In progress
Planned Publication Date: Q2 2025
Organizational Change Management
Existing SSG: To be developed
Planned Start Date: In progress
Planned Publication Date: Q2 2025
Strategy and Planning
Demand Analysis
Existing SSG: Demand Analysis
Planned Review Date: In progress
Planned Publication Date: Q4 2025
Sustainable Development
Existing SSG: In progress
Planned Start Date: In progress
Planned Publication Date: Q1 2025
Asset Management Strategy, Objectives and Plans
Existing SSG: Asset Management Policy, Strategy and Plans
Planned Review Date: In progress
Planned Publication Date: Q2 2025
Existing SSG: Strategic Planning
Planned Review Date: In progress
Planned Publication Date: Q2 2025
Shutdown and Outage Strategy and Planning
Existing SSG: Shutdown and Outages Strategy and Management
Planned Review Date: In progress
Planned Publication Date: Q2 2025
Contingency Planning and Resilience Analysis
Existing SSG: Contingency Planning & Resilience Analysis
Planned Review Date: 1 June 2026
Planned Publication Date: Q3 2026
Resource Strategy and Management
Existing SSG: In progress
Planned Start Date: In progress
Planned Publication Date: Q4 2025
Supply Chain Management
Existing SSG: Procurement & Supply Chain Management
Planned Review Date: In progress
Planned Publication Date: Q2 2025
Life Cycle Value Realization
Existing SSG: Life Cycle Value Realization
Planned Review Date: 30 March 2026
Planned Publication Date: Q3 2026
Asset Costing and Valuation
Existing SSG: Asset Costing and Valuation
Planned Review Date: 6 July 2026
Planned Publication Date: Q3 2026
Asset Management Decision-making
Decision-making
Existing SSG: Capital Investment Operation and Maintenance Decision-Making
Planned Review Date: In progress
Planned Publication Date: Q3 2025
Life Cycle Delivery
Asset Creation and Acquisition
Existing SSG: In progress
Planned Start Date: In progress
Planned Publication Date: Q2 2025
Systems Engineering
Existing SSG: Systems Engineering
Planned Review Date: 28 September 2026
Planned Publication Date: Q3 2026
Integrated Reliability
Existing SSG: Reliability Engineering
Planned Review Date: In progress
Planned Publication Date: Q2 2025
Asset Operations
Existing SSG: Maintenance Delivery and Asset Operations
Planned Review Date: 4 May 2026
Planned Publication Date: Q3 2026
Maintenance Delivery
Existing SSG: Maintenance Delivery and Asset Operations
Planned Review Date: 4 May 2026
Planned Publication Date: Q3 2026
Incident Management and Response
Existing SSG: In progress
Planned Start Date: In progress
Planned Publication Date: Q1 2025
Asset Repurposing and Disposal
Existing SSG: Asset Decommissioning & Disposal
Planned Review Date: In progress
Planned Publication Date: Q2 2025
Information Management
Asset Management Data and Information Strategy
Existing SSG: Asset Information, Strategy, Standards & Data Management
Planned Review Date: In progress
Planned Publication Date: Q2 2025
Knowledge Management
Existing SSG: To be developed
Planned Start Date: In progress
Planned Publication Date: Q3 2025
Asset Data and Information Standards
Existing SSG: Asset Information, Strategy, Standards & Data Management
Planned Review Date: In progress
Planned Publication Date: Q2 2025
Asset Management Data and Information Management
Existing SSG: Asset Information, Strategy, Standards & Data Management
Planned Review Date: In progress
Planned Publication Date: Q2 2025
Asset Management Data and Information Systems
Existing SSG: In progress
Planned Start Date: In progress
Planned Publication Date: Q2 2025
Configuration Management
Existing SSG: Configuration Management
Planned Review Date: In progress
Planned Publication Date: Q4 2025
Risk Management
Risk
Existing SSG: Risk Assessment & Management
Planned Review Date: 20 January 2025
Planned Publication Date: Q4 2025
Review and Continual Improvement
Monitoring
Existing SSG: In progress
Planned Start Date: In progress
Planned Publication Date: Q2 2025
Continuous Improvement
Existing SSG: To be developed
Planned Start Date: In progress
Planned Publication Date: Q2 2025
Management of Change
Existing SSG: In progress
Planned Start Date: In progress
Planned Publication Date: Q1 2025
Value and Outcomes
Outcomes and Impacts
Existing SSG: To be developed
Planned Start Date: In progress
Planned Publication Date: Q2 2025
Development of the SSGs
The above contains all relevant information about developing the SSGs. Some of the SSGs are marked as in progress. Others have dates when we plan to start a new SSG or review and revise an existing SSG. All SSGs have dates when we expect a new version will be available.
This programme of work has been developed to prioritize new subjects and SSGs whose subjects have evolved since they were written. We have then scheduled a regular review and revision of existing SSGs.
Thank you to all the project teams who have worked on the development and production of the SSGs.
Sponsor an SSG
Sponsorship opportunities are now available for the SSG projects. We offer your organization the opportunity to sponsor one or more digital SSG copies. Contact office@theiam.org for more information.