Implementation of an AMS Based on ISO 55001
What the exam tests
Clauses 7 and 8: whether the AMS is resourced, competent, communicated and controlled in operation - the difference between a designed system and a running one.
Core rules
- Resources (7.1): people, infrastructure, environment, knowledge and the data needed for asset decisions.
- Competence (7.2): determine required competence, ensure it through education, training or experience, evaluate the effectiveness of actions, and retain evidence. Awareness (7.3) covers policy, objectives, contribution and implications of non-conformance.
- Communication (7.4): what, when, with whom and how.
- Documented information (7.5): create and update with identification, format and review/approval; control availability, protection, retention and disposition.
- Operational planning and control (8.1): establish process criteria, control processes in line with them, control outsourced processes, manage planned changes and review the consequences of unintended change.
Worked example
A fleet operator introduces 500-hour preventive servicing. The plan defines interval criteria, technicians are trained and assessed, the work instruction is a controlled document, completion data is recorded in the maintenance system, and changing the interval now requires approved change control. Reasoning: each clause 7 and 8 requirement maps to a visible element of the running process.
Traps
Storing training attendance instead of competence evidence; implementing software before processes; assuming contractors sit outside the AMS; uncontrolled spreadsheets acting as the maintenance plan; changing intervals without assessing consequences.