HR TheoryIntangible Assets Monitor.doc

Measuring intangible assets. Explanation of Intangible Assets Monitor of Karl-Erik SveibyThe Intangible Assets Monitor (IAM) is a method for measuring intangible assets. Its presentation format displays a number of relevant indicators for measuring intangible assets in a simple fashion. The choice of indicators depends on the company strategy. The format is particularly relevant for companies with large intangible assets. USE OF THE INTANGIBLE ASSETS MONITORThe Intangible Assets Monitor can be integrated in a management information system. The monitor itself should not exceed one page, according to Sveiby. It should be accompanied by a number of comments. Only a few of the suggested indicators should be selected. The most important areas to cover are growth/renewal, efficiency and stability. The purpose is to get a broad picture, so one or two indicators in each category should be designed. We are interested in indicators that indicate change. I.e. growth, and renewal as well as efficiency and stability measures. The monitor can be used to design a management information system or to perform an audit. When we use the Intangible Assets Monitor (IAM), we perceive the three intangible assets as "real" assets. The Intangible Assets Monitor is interested in indicators that indicate change and indicate flows of knowledge. I.e. growth, renewal/innovation, efficiency/utilization and risk/ stability measures. The idea is: peeking into how the intangible assets are developing, by designing indicators that correlate with: the growth of the asset in question, its renewal pace, how efficiently we are at utilizing it, and the risk that it ceases to exist.