In July 2024, the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) released a landmark update:
ISO 55013 – “Asset management – Guidance on the management of data assets.”
As part of the ISO 55000 series, this new standard marks a significant step forward in recognising that data is not just a tool – it is an asset in its own right.
Data as an asset, not a by-product
For organisations already applying asset management principles to physical infrastructure, ISO 55013 offers a familiar and structured way to extend those principles to data. It builds on clause 7.6 of ISO 55001:2024, which highlights the importance of data and information in supporting asset management systems.
ISO 55013 takes this further, offering practical guidance on how to manage data using the same lifecycle thinking and governance frameworks applied to physical assets.
More data doesn’t automatically mean better decisions
The exponential growth of connected devices, sensors, and digital platforms has created vast volumes of data – much of it underutilised or poorly governed. While many organisations recognise the strategic potential of data, they often struggle with
- Fragmented ownership
- Inconsistent quality
- Unclear purpose and priority
At Anmut, we see this every day, especially in asset-intensive industries. These organisations are increasingly aware that their ability to make informed, timely decisions depends on the quality and availability of their data.
Yet too often, data is siloed, duplicated, or misaligned with business priorities, the result being:
- Inefficiency, when teams waste time finding or reconciling conflicting data
- Risk, when decisions are based on incomplete or outdated information
- Missed opportunities, when insights that could drive value go undiscovered The result is inefficiency, risk, and missed opportunities.
Data may exist in abundance, but without proper governance and alignment to value, it becomes a cost centre rather than a strategic asset.
As expectations rise and resources remain constrained, organisations can’t afford to treat data management as an afterthought.
The solution: ISO 55013 and the data asset lifecycle
ISO 55013 builds on clause 7.6 of ISO 55001:2024, which acknowledges the foundational role of data in asset management systems. But it goes further, offering a practical roadmap for managing data with the same discipline applied to physical assets.
It makes a crucial distinction:
- Asset data – information about assets (e.g., condition, performance, cost)
- Data assets – data as an asset (e.g., traffic flows, customer feedback, weather feeds)
Using this lens, organisations are encouraged to apply lifecycle thinking to data:
Define its purpose → Collect and store it securely → Analyse and use it → Share it appropriately → Retire it when no longer needed
This lifecycle approach mirrors how we work at Anmut. We help organisations:
- Identify high-value data assets
- Assess their condition and fitness-for-purpose
- Align data investments with strategic priorities
From Burden to Strategic Advantage
When data is managed as an asset, the results are transformative:
- Better decisions, made on reliable, timely data
- Stronger compliance, supported by traceable information
- Improved collaboration, enabled by shared understanding
- Greater resilience, through transparency and agility
- Smarter investment, focused on the data that delivers real value
In short: you stop managing data for its own sake, and start managing it for impact.
What about value?
One limitation of ISO 55013 is its silence on how to value data assets. This is a critical omission. Without a clear understanding of value, it’s difficult to prioritise effort or secure investment.
At Anmut, we address this directly, helping organisations quantify the value of data in terms of:
- Business performance
- Stakeholder outcomes
- Strategic goals
Because once you can see the value, you can manage the asset.
Bring data into the asset conversation
ISO 55013 offers what so many organisations need right now, a shared language, structured framework, and practical starting point to treat data not as an IT issue, but as a strategic asset.
For those already aligned to ISO 55000, it’s the next logical step.
For those beginning their journey, it’s a robust and credible foundation.
Either way, the message is clear:
Data is not a by-product. It is an asset. Start managing it like one.
Ready to turn your data into a strategic asset?
At Anmut, we help organisations unlock the true value of their data by applying proven asset management principles. Whether you’re just starting or looking to align with ISO 55013, we’ll guide you every step of the way.
👉 Let’s talk about how your data can drive real impact.
Contact us to start your data asset journey today.