Leading the change in Asset Management
Apply Now for Cohort 2!
Download the Course Syllabus for more details on the program overview, objectives, eligibility, schedule and learning objectives.
As more practitioners gain the knowledge and technical skills around the principles of asset management, the next challenge is to advance leadership capacity within organizations. Key factors that contribute to challenges in leadership include strong interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, and the ability to inspire and motivate teams. The rapid pace of technological change requires leaders to be adept at managing digital transformation. Leaders need to be adaptable and innovative to navigate complex and changing environments.
To support the practice of asset management in Canada, CNAM is launching a leadership training program geared specifically for organizations interested in mobilizing the benefits of asset management in the business practices of the organization.
The Leadership Certificate program supports skill development in the challenges of leading an organization in the various stages of adopting asset management practices. Participants in the program will have already completed training in the principles of asset management or equivalent experience working in asset management.
The program will align with ISO55000, IIMM and IAM and the course material will be based on the CNAM Competency Framework.
Rather than focusing on the technical aspects, this certification program guides participants through key elements of leading their organization to adopt asset management, including the following key benefits:
- Skill Development: Develop essential skills such as communication, decision-making, problem-solving, and team management, which are crucial for effective leadership.
- Confidence Building: Boost your confidence by equipping you with the knowledge and tools needed to lead effectively.
- Networking Opportunities: Connect with other professionals, expanding your network and opening doors to new collaborations and mentorships.
- Personal Growth: Leadership training encourages self-reflection and personal development, helping you understand your strengths and areas for improvement.
- Organizational Impact: Effective leadership can lead to improved team performance and organizational success, making you a valuable asset to your company.
- Adaptability: Leadership training can help you become more adaptable to change, a crucial trait in today’s fast-paced business environment.
Schedule (Cohort 2)
Semester 1 (January to March 2026)
- January 20 and 22 (12pm ET to 3:30pm ET)
Course 101: Vision, Direction & Goals
Introduction of leadership fundamentals including leadership styles, participants will discover opportunities to lead regardless of your position, be introduced to tools and standards, including introduction to the Asset Management Competency Framework (AMCF). Understanding the relevance of underpinning leadership with a shared vision, defining clear objectives, evaluating your program and measuring performance. What does success actually look like?
- February 10 and 12 (12pm ET to 3:30pm ET)
Course 102: Building Culture & Enabling Change
What does it mean to have a “culture of Asset Management”? Discover applying fundamentals of change management in an Asset Management context, how to find your champion(s), the benefits of an Asset Management Steering Committee and other cross-functional team approaches. Participants will explore alignment and integration of Asset Management principles and practices into your organization, with insights on the windows of opportunity to move forward and strategies to customize “best practice” to your organizational culture, practices and requirements. Strategies to reinforce, sustain and continuously advance the adoption of asset management.
- March 3 and 5 (12pm ET to 3:30pm ET)
Course 103: Communication and Relationship Building
This course will introduce communication techniques that participants will practice and apply throughout the program, building confidence in spoken and written communication. Communicating effectively requires a clear understanding of the audience for the message and how different audiences may require different messaging and using different channels. How do we as leaders communicate the results and impacts of the Asset Management program? How do we communicate progress when it’s not always visible? Develop your personal communication toolbox for informing and engaging various audiences. Participants will explore communication approaches across different levels of the organization as well as external communication in the important leadership skill of relationship building.
Semester 2 (April to June 2026)
- April 14 and 16 (12pm ET to 3:30pm ET)
Course 201: Governance & Decision-Making
Reflecting on your organization’s current governance model, discover how you can work effectively within the governance model to achieve the organization’s objectives. Discover how the power of delegating can support decision-making at multiple levels of the organization. How to empower sound and evidence-based decision-making (staff, leadership, executive, elected officials/board) and identifying the data and processes required to support decision-making.
- May 12 and 14 (12pm ET to 3:30pm ET)
Course 202: Using Information in Decision-Making and Reporting
This course builds on governance & decision-making (Course 201), looking at where to find information and how to use it in decision-making. It’s not that we don’t have enough data, it’s about finding the information that is generated by the data and telling the story, seeing the trends and highlighting what questions to ask and where to focus. Participants will explore data visualization and dashboards in reporting.
- June 2 and 4 (12pm ET to 3:30pm ET)
Course 203: Building Competency & Capacity
As the program wraps up, participants will look at strategies going forward to apply the learnings with their teams across their own organization. Reviewing definitions of capacity, competency and capabilities, participants will reflect on competencies in self and competencies in others, reflecting on the Asset Management Competency Framework (AMCF) and the assessment of organizational maturity. How to transform individual knowledge into organizational capability? Review use of coaching, mentoring, training and other tools to build competency and organizational capacity.
- June 23 (12pm ET to 3:30pm ET)
Depending on the size of cohort presentations may continue on June 25
Presentation of Capstone Projects
Participants working in small groups will apply course learnings to a real-world Asset Management leadership challenge in their capstone projects.
Program Details
- Program Duration: January to June 2026
- Cohort Size: 14 to 20 participants
- Format: Virtual (live sessions, self-directed work, peer learning)
- Time Commitment: 70 hours, including 7 hours in-class sessions for each course (42 hours) plus 3 hours per course for assignments and reading (18 hours) and capstone project (10 hours).
- Fee: $1,950 per participant
- Credential: CNAM Certificate of Leadership in Asset Management
- Recognition: Certificates presented at completion of program
All applications will be reviewed to see that they meet the prerequisites for the course, and the cohort will be selected for the optimum learning experience (e.g. representations from variety of organizations that includes the broader public sector, national perspective, etc.). Any applicant who meets the requirements but is not selected for this cohort will be pre-approved for the next cohort. Following the application deadline, selected participants will be notified and payment will be requested (to be completed prior to the first class).