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Machinery & Equipment MRO
June 2022
SHOULD WE CONSIDER HUMANS AN ASSET? BY CLIFF WILLIAMS
Rather than argue about the term, we’ll explore how we could apply the tools and lifecycle approach we use for physical assets, to humans. Let’s walk through the lifecycles and see if we can find how it might apply to humans.
Concept
When deciding on the business case for the physical asset, useful tools like skills matrix (showing expertise required to run the business) and competence analysis (showing skills employees already have) within the organization, can be useful. Comparing the two will allow the need for the organization and concept for the position or person to close the shortcoming.
Design
How are we advertising and looking to find the right candidates for each role? Just like ensuring that the end
users, operations, and maintenance are involved in physical design, they need to be engaged in preparing the requirements for the job posting. It is common to find roles that don’t reflect the skills required, usually because lack of collaboration and too much focus on technical skills. Whereas there is minimal mention on soft skills, which have proven to be most important in leadership roles.
Acquire
When purchasing the required asset, there is an interview process. Are we asking the right questions, probing for insights and support for what has been stated on the resumé? Alternatively, are we asking the same behavioural questions that we have asked candidates for the last three years, for every position at this level? Resumés are the
candidates sales pitch, it is where they present highlights and achievements. Is it adequate to accept what it says or should we ask for an expansion on what they did to achieve this? I remember a candidate claimed to have saved his organization $500,000 by solving a hydraulic problem, only to find that, after probing, he had simply replaced a tank cover. How would you approach an advert for a physical asset and why do anything different for hiring the most suitable candidate?
Operations and maintenance
Everyone must clearly understand their roles and responsibilities; they need to know how they are being measured and more importantly why it is an important measure. It is important to ensure they have all the tools to operate
Photo: © Tiko / Adobe Stock
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here has been a lot of discussion around the term “human asset.” Prompted from research by Dr. Monique Beedles, where she questioned the term and the appropriateness of using it based on the definition of an asset in ISO 55000, “an item, thing, or entity that has value or potential value to the organization (ISO, 2014).” Questions posed on various forums considering the use of “thing” to describe humans, the legal meaning, cultural implications, and while most postings felt the term was appropriate, there was a difference of opinion. What wasn’t discussed greatly in the conversation was the intent or suitability to word the definition that way. No-one disagreed with the idea that a human “has value or potential value to the organization.”
