What statement best describes the methodology for determining asset network criticality?

• A. It is a standalone process outside Asset Management.
• B. It is determined by external regulatory requirements.
• C. It is part of the Asset Management Strategy.
• D. It relies solely on asset age.

Answer: (C)

Determining which parts of the asset network are most critical is done within the Asset Management Strategy. This strategy provides the framework, data, and governance for assessing criticality in a consistent, risk-based way, and links the results to priorities for maintenance, inspection, and investment so they support overall objectives like reliability, safety, and cost management. The method looks at how failures propagate through the network, considering consequences, likelihood, redundancy, and interdependencies, not just the age of individual assets. External regulatory requirements may influence controls, but they don’t establish the method for ranking network criticality. Relying on age alone misses important factors like system impact and network topology, which the strategy explicitly addresses.