Everyone has a role in improving our infrastructure situation. Ensuring everyone understands and embraces their role is critical to the success of this Strategy. Effective infrastructure management requires a shared understanding among those who own, operate, pay for, and use these essential infrastructure services. While asset management plans and processes are becoming more familiar to infrastructure specialists, the long-term business case and return on investment are not well understood by the broader public. Helping everyone understand how investing in asset management now can stabilize infrastructure costs and improve performance overall will be key to securing the necessary funding to develop and implement sound asset management policies and plans.
Continue The Asset Management Champions Program And Explore Program Structures That Improve Access To Training In The Long-Term
Since 2021, MIC AM Champions program has trained over 500 infrastructure practitioners in the principles and processes of asset management and how to assess their current management practices against best practices using the Asset Management Readiness Scale (AMRS). In 2023, to meet growing demand for the training, the MIC expanded the number of cohorts offered annually as well as the size of each cohort. Continuing to meet the demand for this entry level training will be a priority of the MIC. The MIC Asset Management Education Committee is currently exploring opportunities to expand the program permanently.
Partnering with the Michigan Municipal League, Michigan Township Association, MME, GFOA, and Others, The MIC Will Develop an Abbreviated Asset Management Training That Focuses on the big Picture.
Implementing an effective asset management program can be a significant challenge for local agencies, often hindered by a lack of buyin from administrators and elected officials. Often lacking formal training on the big picture of asset management and the business case, these individuals are rightfully concerned with the short-term costs of implementation.
1) Holding Regular Forums with Private Sector to Provide Updates On MIC Programs.
2) Integrating Private Sector Subject Matter Experts in MIC Committees and Training Programs.
MIC recognizes the importance of partnering with the consultant community because many public infrastructure owners rely on the private sector to construct, operate, and maintain their infrastructure assets. Ensuring these companies are aware of MIC’s vision and engaged in building our asset management culture among infrastructure owners, support will be vital to ensuring all communities’ benefit.
MIC Will Develop A Series Of Citizen Guides To Infrastructure Systems.
A recent survey conducted by MIC revealed valuable insights into how to enhance public understanding and support for infrastructure investment. The goal of the survey was understanding public perception of infrastructure condition and performance and gauge the effectiveness of our current educational approaches. As outlined earlier in the Strategy, the public often overestimates the condition of underground infrastructure they cannot see when compared to engineering assessments. The survey also revealed the public desired opportunities outside of public meetings to better understand investment priorities and asset management strategies of their communities.
