The development of an effective asset management process relies heavily on understanding how an asset has been preforming. The water industry has utilised many methods and technologies across its network of pipes, pump stations, treatment plants, valves, hydrants and manholes to measure the performance of its assets. Pipe breakage rates and sewer blockages are just a couple of the performance measures used widely within the industry.

The ability to monitor, trend, assess and then develop an affective management plan has relied heavily on experts or experienced practitioners to both interpret and then decide on the best development plan. Risk models have been used widely to understand the risk profile but these rely heavily on past performance and interpretation.

The ability to have more online and real time data will assist in developing broader options that may previously not have been considered.