Managing the
backbone of our society –
in the right way
The Method
‘Consultants who focus on the management and operation of technical assets.’
That doesn’t say much, does it?
But if you take a closer look, you quickly realise that we are a different kind of consultant – we create tangible change.
Many consultancies offer solutions to problems that don’t even exist. We, on the other hand, provide real solutions and drive change in the areas that form the backbone of our society. This has the potential to fundamentally improve the environment and society.
We bridge silos in organisations and lead to significant improvements – not only for companies, but also for our society.
Everything we do is meaningful. That is why we are not afraid to ask uncomfortable questions or go beyond our comfort zone – as long as it serves the good cause.
The Services
Strategy
Asset operators face many challenges, such as climate change, lack of resources, ageing assets, regulations and demographic change.
Organisation
Good organisations create the basis for ensuring that technical assets are optimally managed and operated.
Processes
Processes are at the heart of every asset operator. From technical processes such as the planning and construction process to commercial processes in the management of assets.
Governance
It is not easy for asset managers to find the right strategy in today's world. Once this has been achieved, it is crucial to manage the organisation accordingly.
Methods
The best strategies, organisational structures and processes do not work without well thought-out methods. Methods are often no longer up to date.
Trainings
Our aim is to help our customers to optimise the management and operation of their assets. To this end, we contribute our expertise and share our knowledge of the latest developments.
Asset-intensive industries
We are very familiar with the management and operation of technical assets. Our focus is therefore on asset-intensive industries.
Our customers’ technical assets are large, cost-intensive and durable. This requires a very specialised management approach.
We are constantly expanding our industry focus. At the same time, each sector has its own challenges to contend with. We know exactly where the shoe pinches because we are out and about in our customers’ companies every day.
The challenges you face
Energy
The electricity, gas and district heating networks supply us with energy and heat every day.
Water
One of the major challenges of our time is the global water crisis.
Telecommunication
Telecommunications and the fibre optic network are the drivers of digitisation.
The questions of an asset operator
Our mission is to improve society and the environment. We are convinced that technical assets are THE key to maintaining our prosperity, our health and our environment in the long term.
Our society relies on technical assets. These include not only energy networks, but also water networks, transport networks and hospitals, for example. Our current and future challenges can only be overcome if assets create the value for which they were built. Climate change, lack of resources, pandemics, lack of education and demographic change are just a few examples of today’s global challenges.
Assets play a central role in overcoming these challenges. Energy grids enable the use of green energy, rail networks, the transport transition and the healthcare system ensure that we remain or become healthy. The functionality of technical assets such as power grids, rail systems and MRI devices is central to this. These assets have a lot in common. They are large, cost a lot of money and are used for a long time.
As a result, asset-related decisions need to be carefully considered – the consequences are cost-intensive and long-lasting. Making such decisions optimally requires a great deal of expertise – both technical and commercial. Asset decisions are based on seven fundamental questions that every asset operator must answer regularly.
We know what is important when answering these questions because we are familiar with the special requirements of managing and operating technical assets. We create strategies, organisational structures and processes and introduce methods with processes that enable organisations to answer these questions.
What do we want to achieve?
The first question an asset operator asks is what is to be achieved with the technical assets. Until the objective is clear, no further questions can be answered. It determines every decision. If, for example, the aim is to achieve the most cost-effective supply possible, the best technically equipped asset will not be procured, as it will probably be the most expensive.
How do we handle opportunities and risks?
In the course of the life cycle and in the interaction of all technical assets, numerous opportunities arise to achieve the objectives and risks that objectives cannot be achieved. The question is how such opportunities and risks are systematically identified and assessed and how the result of this assessment forms the basis for further decisions. Without a systematic assessment of opportunities and risks, the things that are most important and have the greatest impact on the objectives will not be done.
How do we plan, procure, construct, renew, and decommission?
Once there is an overview of the opportunities and risks, the asset operator can respond to them. The decision as to which opportunities and risks are responded to with which measures is determined by the construction programme. In this way, the operator ensures that all measures contribute to the objectives. Every euro can only be spent once and each fitter can only be on one construction site at a time. It is therefore important to clearly prioritise and coordinate measures.
How do we operate, maintain, and decommission?
In addition to new construction, conversion and dismantling, there are many decisions to be made during operation. The question is how to react to unplanned events, e.g. faults on an asset, how to organise an on-call service and how to prevent such faults. The more maintenance measures, the more expensive, but the more unplanned faults can be prevented. So again, it depends on which goals are to be achieved and how many resources are available.
How do we finance and control?
All measures cost money and must be financed. To this end, the financial requirements must be calculated and it must be checked whether the funds are being used in the right place and whether the objectives are being achieved. Above all, forward planning is important here. If it is clear which measures are to be taken and when, the resource requirements can be aligned with this in the long term.
What resources do we need, and when?
In addition to money, other resources are required to implement the measures. These include material and human resources. As soon as an asset operator knows which measures need to be completed, it is possible to calculate which resources are required and when. In today’s tight resource situation, it is crucial to plan for the long term.
What information do we need?
No decisions can be made without information. Too much information makes it difficult to analyse the right information. This is why the question can only be answered in conjunction with the previous questions. This is where digitalisation plays a major role. A lot of information can be collected and analysed automatically to support decision-making.