Infrastructure Asset Management - Essay Example

The Challenges Facing the Implementation of Municipal Infrastructure Management System In UAE Infrastructure asset management (IAM)entails an integrated, multi-disciplinary strategies often employed for purposes of sustaining the available public assets such as sewer lines, railways, roads, water treatment facilities, and utility grids. Generally, the implementation of this process involves focusing on later stages of the lifecycle of a facility for instance replacement, maintenance and rehabilitation (Billings and Moos,1982). Asset management utilizes software tools in organizing and implementing these strategies with an intention of preserving and extending the service life of the long-term assets of the infrastructure, which are essential in maintaining quality of life in a society, as well as mainstreaming the economy. There are various studies that have indicated that the implementation of the Municipal Infrastructure Asset management System in the UAE faces a myriad of challenges. However, these studies did not seek to provide a backup for this connotation. Perhaps, their failure to do this might be attributed to the fact that the complexity and magnitude of challenges that face the financial and physical aspects of the civil infrastructure systems, which have been supporting the traditional lifestyles of communities in the world is quite complex and significant. Considering the fact that the historical management practices have failed to support the expected levels of infrastructural services on sustainable basis, there is need to consider improving approaches for managing the infrastructure perhaps through implementing systems such as the Municipal Infrastructure Asset Management. However, the biggest challenge as far as the UAE is concerned has not been on the employability of this systems and whether or not the system can work. The challenge has been identifying all the possible changes but rather the inherent factors that come into play making the implementation process to be somewhat challenging. After many years of capital investment in the infrastructure in Europe, as well as in the United States, the need to make sure such infrastructure are sustained has not worked following the many mounting challenges attributed to it. Among the current duress include political pressures to have the public spending reduced, tight local and state budget, and the deferral of the required maintenance funding. It has been noted that progressive aging capital, the parochial statuses, as well as the interest groups have become a major hindrance to flexible procurement strategies. Moreover, the rise of the professional societies, industry associations, deigns films, and the related specialties, there has been increased alteration of the management of such infrastructure systems. Because of this, life cycle of facility, including replacement, upgrading, planning, designing, operations, maintenance, as well as construction have become bifurcated between films and agencies. This happens where construction and design are contracted separately from maintenance and operations. Therefore, pushing for somewhat dual-track strategies might help in maintenance of public facilities. In a view to help individuals and groups to understand and develop new asset management tools and practices that stand the taste of time, this paper seeks to suggest a research to be conducted on challenges that face the implementation of Municipal Infrastructure Asset Management System in UAE. This study would help inform the implementers of the system to consider other factors that deem important for the success of the system.  Background of the Study and Problem Statement Infrastructure Asset Management systems has significantly influenced the modernist infrastructure, as well as contemporary infrastructure (Fadier & Ciccotelli, 1999). The influence of asset management system, as well as Information Technology on the government operation and the practice has become increasingly evident. The advent of Infrastructural Asset management tools has helped recondition the future needs, including the maintenance and replacement deficits within the infrastructural systems, establishing new techniques and processes of infrastructure while influencing how engineers operate (Cushman & Rosenberg, 1991). Currently, road designs, as well as building construction have increasingly been aided by and heavily depended upon this system. This system has an advantage of allowing engineers to be able to foresee the appearance in order for them to predict the performance of the proposed road. Generally, Infrastructure Asset Management systems have an effect on the various infrastructural designs processes, as well as the engineer’s functionality. This is because of the increasing vital role these systems play in the construction of various infrastructural elements. Currently, professionals, students, as well as professors are experiencing the benefits, as well as the challenges encompassing the use of implementation of the Infrastructure Asset Management systems in their work. However, a number of people in the same field are not informed of drawbacks, challenges and the possibilities that are afforded by these technologies. The research proposal seeks to unveil key issues on this matter, with a major focus on Infrastructure Asset Management systems. In discussing the challenges associated with implementation of this systems, the study seeks to suggest better ways of utilizing the current Infrastructure Asset Management systems, as well as future methods that are better suited in for implementing this system in other areas other than in the UAE. Research Objectives This research proposal has two key objectives that play the central focus of this paper. The first objective entails providing qualitative answers to the challenges associated with the implementation of the Infrastructure Asset Management systems in the UAE. Secondly, the proposal seeks to illustrate the better ways of overcoming such potential challenges associated with implementing Infrastructure Asset Management systems. Purpose of the research. The overarching purpose for this proposed study would be investigated and highlight challenges associated with the implementation of Infrastructure Asset Management systems within the UAE. The topic to be examined would be the challenges facing the implementation of Municipal Infrastructure Asset Management System in UAE. Research Questions There are three essential questions considered in this study. These questions can support the study in its objective of achieving the possible answer to the thesis. 1. What does Infrastructure Asset Management System entail? 2. What are the key challenges the UAE is facing in its effort implement the Infrastructure Asset Management systems within the UAE? 3. What are the better suited strategies that can be impressed by the UAE in overcoming such challenges? 4. What are future methods that are better suited in for implementing this system in other areas other than in the UAE? Relevance of the study. The subject of the implementing Infrastructure Asset Management Systems has significantly been impressed in the contemporary world, and more prominently is the UAE. There has been growing demand for this system. This implies that conducting a research with a view to highlight the challenges, challenges for implementing this system would not be in cross violation of the current technological agenda but instead it would be a substantial boost to improvements in infrastructural development projects, not only in the UAE but also to the larger world. More so, pertinent literatures have all been reviewed, and the focus on an issue such as challenges facing the implementation of the Infrastructure Asset Management systems, and in particular within the UAE reported in the literature has exclusively been determined. It has been found out that a serious deficiency in the research seems to lack the consideration of this subject. Additionally, Laws have changed to reduce the avenues available for data collection, mainly for policies that touch on issues such as infrastructure. Previously, researchers have not been keen with this issue. The strategies that need be employed for the better success of using these systems has never been taken into consideration. This has made the governments within the UEA to develop different types of attitudes about the abilities of engineers. This has raised concerns because some of these shortcomings could have been avoided. This study will identify the best approach to take in line with prevention of the occurrence of mistakes. The relevance of this research will be to establish a preventive measure for the occurrence of such mishaps. If this research shall manage to approve the hypothesis for the study, then the hindrances to better implementation of the policy makers and engineers shall be reduced. If the hypothesis would not be approved then, further recommendations shall be adopted in this regard. Participants. The opportunity sample for this study should be made up of 40 participants. These participants would be obtained from policy makers of different governments within the UAE who are tasked with the responsibility of foreseeing the implementation of the Infrastructure Asset Management systems within their countries. These participants should be picked based on volunteer’s basis. This is because volunteering participants would give out unbiased data. The participants would be selected by using the fact that they belong and have experience in working various companies tasked with the implementation of the system. Methodology. The design method to be applied in this study would be a quantitative research design. In social sciences, quantitative research is used to refer to systematic investigation of a phenomenon through a computation technique. The aim of the quantitative research is to employ and come up with mathematical theories or models that pertain to the phenomena. Measurement processes are key elements as far as quantitative research is concerned since they provide fundamental connections linking mathematical expressions and empirical observations. A quantitative research design determines the relationship between two things (dependent and independent variable). This design can either be experimental or descriptive. In experimental design measurements of the participants is made before and after the given treatment. Descriptive design, on the other hand, involves one measurement. In this study, experimental research design would be the most appropriate design to be used in the collection of data. For accuracy, the experimental research would need less than one hundred participants. This is a design that utilized a number of variables within one specific study. This design is appropriate because it normally gives out unbiased outcome and has no peculiar methodology because it gives out a lot of flexibility in the research. This design is normally an aggregate of analysis of data. This design involves establishing quantifying variable relationships, and it is employed in gathering data that are empirical on social science discipline. Additionally, with the use of a quantitative research method, an in-depth analysis can easily be archived that would satisfy the objectives of the entire study. Data collection in quantitative research design involves observing and measuring variables on the given subject like in the case of this study the subject under research is management. In ensuring that various views are taken into consideration, the study would have to involve a series of interviews involving 40 individuals who are focused on implementation of the Infrastructure Asset Management systems within their countries. The experiments and interviews would be the basis for suggesting strategies through which the Infrastructure Asset Management systems would be implemented and for proposing the future methods that are tailored to the better implementation. Analysis of data. The suppliers find the management parameters to be the key factors in achieving a quality in infrastructure development more on the marketing, incorporated logistics, finance, and other functions. Such a trend affects the entire process and the reason the suppliers seems to point out is the material and substandard design process. For them to ensure they have better support to loyal clients, as well as add competitiveness, the companies need to provide additional services in their designing and engineering support for them to optimize structural design components. This can be achieved through development of expertise where there is guaranteed infrastructural parameters and integrated design processes. Research ethics to be applied. Researchers are made to go through an array of ethical requirements. There is the need to meet professional, institutional, as well as standards for conducting any research related to human participants. In helping steer clear any ethical quandaries, this research would consider a number of research ethics. First, it would frankly discuss with participants the intellectual property. More often than not, academic competitive leads to trouble depending on who should be credited for authorship. The best way the researcher would consider in order to avoiding disagreements about who to be credited, and using which order, the researcher would talk about the issues at the start of the working relationship with participants and ensure they are put in writing. This will act as a tool to help discus and evaluate the contributions during the research process. Secondly, the researchers would be conscious of professionalism of participants by selecting professional architects who have are rich in knowledge, and practice in the field. This could be achieved by avoiding relationships that might tend to impair the researchers’ professional performances or could cause harm to others. However, they will have to take note that many multiple relationships between the researcher and participants are not ethical especially if they are not to have adverse effects. When recruiting the patients as participants in this study, the researchers would have to think carefully before joining the multiple relationships with other participants. In this case, the researcher would act as lab supervisor, as well as a mentor and make sure he or she does not abuse the power to differentiate him or herself with participants. The researcher would make sure he/she outlines the nature and structure of mentoring before mentoring begins. The third code of ethics to be upheld during the study would be to make sure the informed-consent rules are strictly followed. Doing this properly, the consent process would ensure that the participants voluntarily participate in the research when fully informed of the relevant benefits and risks. Fourthly, the researcher would have to consider respecting the confidentiality and privacy of the participants. In this respect, the researcher would be keen at not to question about any personal issues like family, origin or politics. Respecting individual rights to confidentiality, as well as privacy is a key tenet for every researcher. The researcher will, therefore, have to discus confidentiality limits giving participants information about how their data will be put into use and also know the law of the state, as well as taking practical security measures. Last but not least, the researcher would stare clear of restrictions about age, gender, ethnics or believes. This would ensure reduced biasness in the final outcome. EVALUATION OF THE STUDY. Evaluation is a way to determine merits of a study, significance and worth by use of set criteria. It normally helps a researcher to ascertain the number of achievements according to the purpose of the study. Its foremost purpose is to facilitate reflection, and help in the determination of a change in future. For this study summative, evaluation would be the best evaluation process for this study. This is because the summative evaluation is always conducted at the end of a study, and it is used to give out information of effectiveness and long term effect of a study. In order to have an assessment of the efficacy of the study, the researcher shall have to follow the following criteria. To start with, the researcher would determine whether the objectives of the study would have been achieved. The researcher shall develop the weaknesses and the strengths, policy, and theory of this study. The researcher should then practice the implications of the study. Next the researcher would determine whether the ethical committee was approved and whether all the ethical considerations would have been achieved. The researcher shall also establish whether the groups that were used were comparable, whether the confounding factors were well managed, and determine whether the outcomes criteria gave out the required measurements. The researcher should also determine whether the follow-up period was sufficient to make the desired effects. If all this is put under consideration, then the researcher would be able to assess the degree of which her study was a success. References Broberg, O., 1997. “Integrating Infrastructure into Development Process”. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics. 10:61-67 Billings, A.G., and Moos, R. H., 1982. “Work Stress and the Stress-buffering Roles of Work and Family Resources”. Journal of Occupational Behavior 3:215-232. Boyce, P., Hunter, D., & Howlett, O., 2003. The Benfits of Window Daylight. Troy: Renseeleaer Polytechnique Institute. Buchanan, D., & Badham, R., 1999. Politics and organizational Changes: Live Experience. Human Relations 52:609-629. Burns, C., & Vincente, J., 1994. “Designer Evaluations in Human Factors Reference Data”. Proceedings in 12th Triennial Congress of International Ergonomics Association. 295-298. Cable, D. M., and Judge, T. A., 1994. “Pay Preference and Job Search Decision: A Person-Organization Fit Perspectives.” Personnel Psychology 47:371-348 Cordiner, L., & Graves, J., 1996. “Ergonomics Intervention in plant Refurbishment”. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics. 19: 457-471 Costa, P., and McCrae, R., 1995. “Domains and Facets: Hierarchical Personality Assessment Using the Revised Neo Personality Inventory.” Journal of Personality Assessment 63: 21-50. Cushman, W., & Rosenberg, G., 1991. Human Factors in Design. Amsterdam: Elsevier. Fadier , E., & Ciccotelli, J., 1999. “How to integrate Safety into Design”. Human Factors and Ergonomics. 9: 367-379.  Read More