Fight against obsolescence extended in 2015

The new professional body will provide professional qualifications for practitioners of Obsolescence Management.

According to Stuart Kelly, chairman of COG UK and IIOM, the needs of the industry for obsolescence management have changed significantly over recent years.

“As a membership-based organisation, COG was created to allow defence and aerospace companies to share knowledge and expertise in managing the in-service obsolescence of electronic components in equipment which typically has an operational lifetime extending out to twenty-five years or more,” said Kelly.

The affects of obsolescence are being experienced by a wider range of industries, and may involve materials and software as well as mechanical, electrical and electronic components.

“The increased sophistication of Obsolescence Management tools and mitigation practices means that there is a growing need for a professional body to provide the best-practice guidance, training, career development and qualifications for an emerging class of professional obsolescence managers,” said Kelly.

IIOM will introduce tiered membership classes, allowing individuals from any country to progress along a defined career path in OM.  The membership classes will range from Student membership, with no competence requirements, up to classes which will require members to prove their competency by completing an IIOM-approved course and passing a final examination.

These classes of membership will entitle qualifying individuals to use post-nominal letters: Associate of IIOM (AIIOM): Member of IIOM (MIIOM) and Fellow of IIOM (FIIOM).

The creation of this IIOM-approved career development structure has been supported by the University of Maryland in the USA and by the UK’s Cranfield University and Ministry of Defence.

IIOM’s full remit will be to:

• Advance the science and practice of Obsolescence Management (OM)
• Identify and promote best-practice and professional competence
• Provide a career development path and recognised qualifications for OM practitioners
• Generate global awareness and understanding of obsolescence and OM

Following the launch of IIOM in January 2015, the Institute plans to be fully operational by April 2016. All existing COG members will have their membership automatically re-assigned to membership of IIOM, which will continue to host member meetings in the UK and Germany.

IIOM will also host a biennial International Conference and has confirmed that this will take place in Edinburgh, Scotland, in June 2015.