The National Maintenance and Asset Management Project Awards 2020 sponsored by ESS and Eirdata is now open for entries.

This is a great opportunity for MEETA members to take part in a high-profile event. Awards will be presented at the MEETA online Conference 2020 scheduled for 25 and 26 November, which is free to attend. 

The project can focus on either the application of technology or management techniques and does not have to be complex. Indeed, many previous winners have had very straightforward projects. 

Closing date for entries is Monday, 9 November 2020. Winners will be showcased on the Engineers Ireland website and via social media. All members are encouraged to submit an entry for this prestigious award. Download your entry form today. 

Criteria 

The entries will be judged by a panel of asset management practitioners who are experts in asset management against the following criteria: 

1.    Originality – how the project utilises Asset Management tools and techniques in an innovative and original manner. Originality is the most important criterion and will be a key consideration for the judges.
2.    Whole Life Asset Management – how the project uses whole life cost analysis to optimise future renewal, maintenance or operational expenditure.
3.    Impact on Risk – how the project quantifies and reduces financial / safety risks. 
4.    Implementation – the extent to which the project has been successfully implemented, including evidence of actual benefits delivered.
5.    Impact on Employees – how the project has impacted on the company employees. 
6.    Integration – how the project has been integrated into the organisation’s existing Asset Management systems and process. 
7.    Asset Knowledge – how the project has contributed to the asset knowledge of the organisation. 

Typical projects previously submitted include: 

• Development of whole-life cost or deterioration models to support capital investment decisions 
• Development of risk-based maintenance or inspection regimes; 
• Development of innovative asset information systems to support Asset Management decisions; 
• Development of risk models to quantify financial and safety risks; 
• Innovative use of asset knowledge to improve the reliability or efficiency of assets.

Download your entry form today.

Questions and answers about the National Maintenance and Asset Management Project Awards 

What are the National Maintenance and Asset management Project Awards?
The National Maintenance and Asset management Project Awards are an annual programme to recognise Irish organisations and individuals that excel in maintenance and asset management. 

What are its objectives?

  • Increase the awareness of maintenance and asset management as a competitive edge in cost, quality, service and equipment performance. 
  • Identify industry leaders, along with potential or future leaders, and highlight “best practice” in asset and maintenance management and maintenance technology. 
  • Share successful maintenance and asset management strategies and the benefits derived from implementation. 
  • Understand the need for managing change and the stages of development to achieve maintenance excellence. 

What types of projects are eligible?
There are two categories. 

  • Any maintenance technology project involving the application of a technical solution to increase the effectiveness or efficiency of the care of an asset. 

OR 

  • Any maintenance or asset management project involving the application of a managerial solution/ strategy to increase the effectiveness or efficiency of the management of an asset. 

What is the awards process?

  • Candidates submit application before deadline 
  • Preliminary vetting by MEETA
  • Judging panel evaluates all applications and selects finalists 
  • Finalists receive an in-depth review from the judging panel 
  • Winners recognised at a special ceremony 

How are the awards evaluated?
A panel of judges nominated by MEETA will evaluate each application. They may not participate where there is a conflict of interest with any applicant company. Each application is “scored” against the criteria by every evaluator. All applications are treated as strictly confidential. Evaluation for 2020 will take place virtually on the Zoom platform. 

What criteria are used for evaluation?
Each evaluator uses the criteria to “score” each applicant. Finalists are selected based on the highest scores above a threshold score. 

My organisation is not very large and our maintenance procedures are very simple. Will that keep me from qualifying for the award?
Neither size nor complexity is a requirement for winning the award. The award looks for performance in a manner that is consistent with the needs of the business being supported. 

I am a maintenance contractor. Could I qualify for the award?
A maintenance contractor can apply. Depending on the situation, a contractor might apply independently or with a client. 

If I apply for the award, will I get a call from a maintenance management consultant who is looking for business?
The award is administered by MEETA. The judging panel comprises industry maintenance practitioners who want to contribute to the future of their profession. Strict confidentiality is assured. No data is released without the applicant’s permission. No information is provided to anyone who may use it for business or competitive gains. 

How are the awards financed?
ESS and Eirdata sponsors the awards. They have no input to the judging. The judging panel, which work totally independently, give freely of their time and expenses. 

My company is focused on being the number one in our industry. Why should we pursue an award that recognises just part of the organisation?”
The award is focused on recognising maintenance organisations that enable operational excellence by providing capacity assurance. We believe that being number one is the consequence of all parts of an organisation being functionally excellent in what they do. 

What previous applicants have said?

  • “Just completing the application caused us to re-examine some things we are doing.” 
  • “The total company effort required created a tremendous amount of teamwork at our site.” 
  • “The feedback we received from the judging panel was worth the time to apply.” 
  • “Getting positive reinforcement of our process from other industry practitioners was the biggest value.”

The MEETA Maintenance Awards Program recognises the outstanding performance of maintenance, operations, technicians and teams. Property managers, management companies and individuals participating in the MEETA Maintenance Awards receive the following benefits:

  • Improve Performance. MEETA Maintenance Awards Program recognises maintenance professionals’ contributions to assets’ overall efficiency and productivity and encourages excellence in maintenance, engineering and operations. The MEETA Maintenance Awards Program establishes benchmarks and promotes betterment in service quality.
  • Boost Morale and Improve Teamwork. Participating in MEETA Maintenance Awards Programme demonstrates that you care about, and appreciate, the efforts and achievements of your maintenance staff and teams.
  • Industry Recognition. Awards will be presented at the MEETA online Conference 2020 scheduled for 25 and 26 November, which is FREE to attend. Winners will be showcased on the Engineers Ireland website and via social media.

The MEETA Maintenance Awards 2020 is sponsored by ESS and Eirdata