In a Q&A session, International Institute of Obsolescence Management (IIOM) - director, Stuart Kelly explains why the Component Obsolescence Group (COG) attempt to become truly international has led to a transformation. Q: Outline the reasons for the change from the Component Obsolescence Group to the International Institute of Obsolescence Management?
COG has been a successful networking and knowledge sharing membership organisation for 17 years and has a loyal membership in both the UK and German groups. The UK Steering Group has strived to move the overall organisation forward in new directions, but with limited success.
There has been a need to improve training, guidance and general standards in obsolescence management (OM), and a professional qualification for individuals in OM skills has been something of a Holy Grail. We've decided that without a step change to the structure of COG, it would remain an unattained goal. This also represents an opportunity to grow the size of the membership.
Evolving into an Institute will allow COG to enhance its current membership benefits by becoming more universally accepted. It ensures we will continue to be recognised as a professional body of the highest standing.
Q: What, in your mind, are the aims of the IIOM over and above those aspirations of COG?
The IIOM will provide all the benefits that COG provides today, with additional benefits in the following areas:
Individual memberships - There will be various classes of memberships, and those who have attained certain levels of memberships will be awarded post nominal letters. There will be competence and experience requirements for some classes of Membership.
Corporate memberships - Companies, organisations and corporate bodies will continue to be entitled to join the IIOM. There will be many benefits in addition to demonstrating commitment to the profession and supporting the development of the discipline. Corporate members will be entitled to use appropriate logos on stationery and marketing material.
International ambitions - Individuals from any country can become a member and, when there is a critical mass in one country, a National Chapter can be established. From discussions with non-UK based individuals and companies, we believe the IIOM will become the leading international organisation representing the OM discipline.
Individual professional development - The IIOM will lead the development of a Competence Framework that will facilitate the provision of training and learning to individuals. The IIOM will use this framework as a basis for training courses, utilising an IIOM-defined syllabus through a network of endorsed trainers.
Research - The IIOM will be committed to furthering the development of knowledge and effective utilisation of OM processes through research across a wide range of industries. This will be achieved using reports, presentations and specialist papers to share knowledge throughout the OM community.
Assessments - In the same way that organisations show evidence of compliance for quality purposes to relevant standards, evidence of achievement in OM may be demonstrated by compliance with IEC62402:2007 and appropriate International Standards. The IIOM will manage an OM capability assessment methodology which organisations will be able to use for assessment of compliance against IEC 62402:2007 by an IIOM approved assessor. Any organisation can apply to become an IIOM-Endorsed Assessor.
Q: How do you intend to roll out the introduction of a Continuous Professional Development (CPD) for practitioners and an industry recognised IIOM Certificate?
The IIOM will lead the development of a Competence Framework that will facilitate the provision of training and learning to individuals and use it as a basis for training courses, using an IIOM-defined syllabus through a network of endorsed trainers. A qualification scheme will be introduced.
Two qualifications will be developed and accredited by the IIOM: an Institute Certificate and an Institute Diploma. Longer term there's scope to develop a full degree-based qualification and obtain Chartered Engineer status for appropriately qualified members.
IIOM will develop criteria that organisations must meet to become a training provider. It will select organisations that meet these requirements and appoint them to the status of Endorsed Trainer or Endorsed Training Providers (ETP) for a renewable period. ETP's will be granted the right to issue training certificates endorsed by the IIOM to individuals who successfully complete the courses.
The Certificate, Diploma and Endorsed Training schemes will be governed by a neutral Accreditation and Examination Board that will be set up after IIOM incorporation.
Q: As of today, where are we with the election of Council and board members?
IIOM will be a not-for-profit organisation, which will form the HQ for the new Institute. An IIOM Board of Management will oversee its running and development. The Board will have international representation from USA, UK and Germany, emphasising the global aspect and aspirations of the Institute.
Below the IIOM HQ will be a series of ‘Chapters' in each respective country. The current COG UK will become the IIOM-UK Chapter. A Council for each National Chapter will be formed to ensure national interests and initiatives are fed to the IIOM Board of Management through the Chapter Council. A Council Chairman will be elected by each Chapter who will also sit on the IIOM Board of Management to ensure in-country issues and initiatives can be presented to the international organisation.
The current COG UK Steering Group will form the first IIOM-UK Council. At some point, a new IIOM-UK Council will be elected from UK members, which follows normal Institute processes. This is expected to be autumn 2015. Each member of the Council will sit for three years.
Each International Chapter will be governed by a uniformed constitutional document which will ensure the parent company (IIOM) retains control and key decision-making.
Q: Finally, what are your hopes for your June 2015 inaugural conference and exhibition in Edinburgh?
This conference will be the showcase event for IIOM and the first we will hold after the launch of the organisation. It's our opportunity to present our new direction and the benefits that we will bring to the OM community.
Key industry personnel from around the world will meet to review the latest issues and initiatives in OM disciplines. The Conference and Exhibition will be held at the Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh. The Gala Dinner and workshops will be held at The George Hotel, George Street, Edinburgh. The Conference will provide the opportunity to learn from, and network with, key industry personnel with its full technical and social programme. There will be a welcome reception on the evening of 16th June 2015 at The Caves. The George Hotel will host our Gala Dinner and Award night on the 17th June 2015.
The event will be the largest dedicated event outside of the USA this year. The conference is expected to be attended by more than 120 delegates who are impacted by obsolescence risk, representing all levels of the supply chain from a wide range of industries. Two workshops have been organised for the first day of the event: A Guide to Pro Active Obsolescence Management and Managing Obsolescence in Legacy In-Service Equipment.
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