Driving Operational Excellence through Process-oriented structures: the strategic value of Acquire to Decommission process in asset lifecycle management.

In today's highly competitive manufacturing landscape, operational efficiency and cross-functional coordination are critical for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to grow sustainably. Asset Lifecycle Management (ALM) has emerged as a strategic function that enables organizations to improve asset performance, reduce downtime, and ensure long-term value creation. However, many SMEs still face persistent challenges such as siloed operations, fragmented workflows, and underutilized digital tools. This thesis investigates how a global medical device manufacturer based in Taiwan can enhance its ALM capabilities by adopting the Acquire-to-Decommission (A2D) process framework. A2D provides a structured, end-to-end approach that integrates all asset-related decisions and activities-from acquisition and operation to maintenance and decommissioning. The model aims to improve accountability, transparency, and operational excellence through process orientation. The research focuses on three key dimensions: process excellence, digital transformation, and continuous improvement. Methodologically, this study combines a literature review-covering ISO 55001, Balanced Scorecard, Business Process Reengineering (BPR), and Industry 4.0—with qualitative interviews involving sponsor company experts in engineering, maintenance, project management, and digital innovation. A complementary user-level survey also captures employee insights on digital tool usage, training, and improvement opportunities. This thesis contributes to both academic understanding and industrial practice by demonstrating the value of process-oriented asset management in a real-world manufacturing context; identifying gaps in current digital and procedural workflows at the sponsor company; and recommending a phased, scalable implementation of the A2D framework.