---
title: "Step 1 Define the Asset (and set up the Hierarchy)"
slug: "step-1-define-the-asset"
status: "update"
updated: 2026-10-27T23:12:55Z
published: 2026-10-27T23:12:55Z
canonical: "ims-handbook.cenosco.com/step-1-define-the-asset"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://ims-handbook.cenosco.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Step 1 Define the Asset (and set up the Hierarchy)

![](https://cdn.document360.io/e492a0e0-a4ba-4aca-8fc6-76b95f91fdf3/Images/Documentation/Degradation%20Management%20Final%20(2).jpg?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-28T10%3A06%3A11Z&se=2026-10-28T11%3A06%3A11Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=AIohiH4nhKgBXwAGSBY2cj%2FOXIKvBNFjWPAEbT0NKU4%3D)

## Aim

Before the [Degradation Management](/v414/docs/degradation-management-theory-overview) can start, the Asset needs to be defined in IMS. This entails two elements: (1) the [IMS Hierarchy](/v414/docs/pei-hierarchy-overview) structure needs to be set up; and (2) the asset information must be collected, verified, and stored in IMS.

See [Methodology Step 1](/v414/docs/methodology-step-1) and [Software Step 1](/v414/docs/software-step-1).