Condition ratings that mean something

The 1–5 scale

| Rating | Meaning | | --- | --- | | 1 | Very Good — as new, no defects | | 2 | Good — minor deterioration, no action needed | | 3 | Moderate — deterioration, planned intervention required | | 4 | Poor — significant deterioration, prompt action required | | 5 | Very Poor — failed or failing, urgent intervention |

Consistency beats precision

Condition ratings become renewal forecasts. A rating that means something different in each region produces a forecast nobody can defend.

• Rate the asset as it is today, not as it is expected to be
• Rate against the standard for that asset type, not against a neighbouring asset
• If two inspectors would disagree, describe the observation in the findings — the words settle the argument

Recording criticality

Criticality describes what failure would mean, not how likely it is. A buried water main under a hospital is critical even when it is in good condition.