Standardising an Asset Management Process - A case study of a pier inspection process at the Port of Gothenburg

Abstract

This study addresses the desire to standardise a pier inspection process at the Port of Gothenburg. A process is in this report defined as a set of inputs converted into outputs to serve some kind of interest. Through studying the process of a pier inspection at the Port of Gothenburg, suggestions on how to standardise the inspection is developed. The study was conducted as a qualitative case study, with a set of interviews and observations to get a deeper understanding of different angles of the case. Four highlighted advantages were found within process standardisation: improved process performance, improved customer confidence, enhanced readiness and simplified communication. It was found that there has to exist a mutual agreement of what is sought, when developing and implementing a standard. In this study, two different perceptions of a standardised process were identified; a stable process where the responsibilities are clear, and a common nomenclature. The authors address these different perceptions through introducing a flow scheme that will facilitate a common nomenclature and an efficient and proper documentation. Further, a development of the Port’s current data system, with increased compatibility to pier operations, is recommended. For further research it is suggested that the flow scheme is developed in a deeper and more technical approach, and further investigate the compatibility of this standardisation, through an additional case study on another pier.