July 2007

July 2007

Did you know ?

Asset Planning Demonstration System

A reminder that all NAMS Property members have been provided unrestricted access to the on-line Demonstration Asset Planning System. The system is a fully functional system that is in use by many organisations in both NZ and Australia. It is an example of a commercial software product that SPM Applications Ltd have provided to NAMS Property. SPM provide the system for your use so that you can try collecting data, entering it and analysing it to provide a variety of planning reports. Smaller organisations could use the system as provided through NAMS as a fully working asset planning tool.

Training on the Asset Planning Demonstration System

A few members have indicated that they would like some training on the use of the on-line Demonstration Asset Planning System. The general feeling is that it takes time to get to know how to use a computer system and many people just haven’t got the time to read through the quick-start guide within the NAMS Property manual let alone the on-line help within the system. To gain full appreciation of how to do asset management planning, the NAMS Property manual was designed to be used in combination with the demonstration system. Therefore, SPM Applications is offering a complimentary half day training session in Auckland during the third week of August. Depending on the uptake and the outcome from the session, SPM may also run further session in other centres.
Please click here to register your interest.

Swinburn University

Swinburn University are using the NAMS Property literature as an example of Asset Management Best Practice.

Property Benchmarking Study

A property benchmarking study is being undertaken by organisations that use the NAMS Property framework. It is expected that half of these organisations will be in a position to participate directly, with the other half providing their data for the benefit of others. General results will be provided in the NAMS Property toolbox in coming months.

Australasian Housing Institute

The Australasian Housing Institute is planning a series of NAMS Property training seminars in the state of Victoria for later this year. The intention is to increase the awareness of housing asset management planning and how to do it.

NZ Treasury

NZ Treasury’s Capital Asset Management (CAM) framework will be out for consultation in September 2007. A number of Agencies will be meeting in Wellington in early August to discuss how they can share information and knowledge in support of the framework. The Agencies aim to coordinate efforts to improve ways in which they manage their assets and make capital decisions. The key change is moving from a 5 year focus to a 20 to 40 year planning horizon. Some Agencies are already doing this while others are just starting to see the benefits. The NAMS manuals are recognised as being good examples of 'better practice' and will used by most of the Agencies going forward.

NZ National Health AMP

The NZ National Health AMP is due for completion by the end of August. A workshop was held in Auckland last week that considered data recently collected from all 21 District Health Boards. A series of recommendations have resulted that will be actioned by a National Steering Group over the next 3 years. These recommendations will also be aligned with Treasury's CAM framework requirements.

Health Asset Management Forum

A regional Health Asset Management forum met recently as part of NAMS Property training and provided suggested improvements to the way AMPs are being developed. The key points of interested include;

• Horse needed before the cart, i.e. need to confirm the strategic intent of the health services before the AMP can be written
• Keep the AMP simple, i.e. head away from large documents by providing a 16 page written AMP supported by Appendices. The 15 pages targeted towards Board level plain English. Appendices are working live documents that can be generated from systems or from ongoing work practices
• AMP format must be attractive and easy to read, i.e. graphics supported by ‘plain English’ words
• Keep with the NAMS Property suggested Table of Contents but limit the detail and add the following major headings:
  • Sustainability
  • Affordability / Achievable
  • Outcomes from Asset Initiatives
  • Risk Analysis
  • Strategic and Annual Planning linkage
• Interactive by adding to intranets
• Easy to understand headings
• Better recognise and tailor for the targeted reader
• More analysis around sensitivities of demand / growth statements
• An indication of the confidence of the planning outputs such as 20 year financial projections

Local Authority Property Association

The LAPA annual conference will be held in Rotorua in early September, for further details click here. Two asset management sessions  are scheduled. The SPM stand will have NAMS Property trained people available to discuss the manual, web site and Demonstration system, so please feel free to discuss any questions with them. A copy of the manual will also be given away!

Annual Membership Renewals

Annual membership renewals will be starting in November this year.
For $100 per member per year, you will continue to have access to the growing and evolving tool box and the demonstration system.
 

Progress of NAMS Property

	Current as at 20 July 2007 Individuals from Central Governement organisations are becoming members over the past two months due to the upcoming Treasury CAM framework
	NZ still dominates the membership. Watch this space for North American movements over the coming months...

Did you know?

This month we focus on Reordering Search Results within the Demonstration System.


Please let us know anything happening in your organisation or industry…