2.5.4.1

Data-driven decisions depend on asset data to guide effective investment choices. Effective data collection practices allow an agency to execute strategic RCM maintenance and streamline work order distribution. With accurate data, metrics can be derived, and performance measures compared to assess the effectiveness of a maintenance strategy and identify areas for improvement. Ancillary asset data can be categorized as either essential or desirable, depending on the management approach. Regardless of the data type, it is crucial that the data be complete and reliable. Generally, the RCM process required the following essential data for effective management.

Table 2.5 – Essential Data by Maintenance Approaches for Ancillary Assets

There are various strategies and technologies that support data acquisition that can be found in Chapter 7 and in the Handbook for Ancillary assets (FHWA-HIF-19-006). Other desirable data can augment decision-making by:

• Providing additional clarity and accuracy to the essential data collected.
• Supporting different departments within an agency.
• Assisting in generating accurate work orders.
• Helping manage asset risks.
• Tracking the asset’s full life cycle to make informed decisions.

The above list is not all-inclusive but provides clear examples of reasons why additional data collected in the field could be beneficial to an agency. Each of these items is described in more detail in the handbook. Other desirable data attributes have been referenced elsewhere (HMEP 2013), and may also be considered, including:

• Maintenance intervals.
• Frequency of failure.
• Allocated risk factors.
• Maintenance requirements.
• Engineering specific data