Combining systems thinking and PAS 55: Developing a value improvement model for asset management (a-vim) with a wind turbine case study

This paper utilises a proven systems thinking & modelling approach (g-VIM) to develop a robust research enquiry into how asset management can be improved through the development of an asset management value improvement model (a-VIM). The model is underpinned by lean and sixsigma thinking and is developed combining Soft System Thinking (SST) with PAS 55 guidelines. An industrial problem is presented alongside a taxonomic and captious review of literature from AM and SSM. The authors argue that the a-VIM helps businesses to understand how asking questions regarding the AM process inputs (How to?) can give answers to how they influence the outputs (What?). Furthermore, it also helps to visualise and assess properly the internal and external influences on the AM repetitive process and how their interactions add or remove value from the process. The a-VIM is introduced as a useful, visual and systematic conceptual framework that will help asset managers understand, make good assessment and improve their AM repetitive processes.