nima’s GIIG think tank has produced a discussion paper about asset identification (PDF, will open in new tab). It outlines a range of scenarios (including some philosophical challenges including Trigger’s Broom and The Ship of Theseus). It then details some of the standards relating to identification of physical assets and their parts, identification of information containers, and applying unique labelling.
It concludes no single approach can provide a unique asset identifier that can be applied to all types of assets (large and small, static and mobile, and covering different aspects of their lifecycles), across multiple organisations and geographies, over short and long periods of time. The most practicable approach is to work with multiple identifiers and to connect and cross-reference the respective systems.
Recognising that asset identification is a key and increasingly important area of digital professional practice, nima invites its members to offer their own feedback on related challenges and opportunities. Please use this thread in the General Forum to share your thoughts and any insights from your own or your organisation’s experience.