Free asset hierarchy template
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Free asset hierarchy template (PDF). Map a parent-child Site, System, Asset, Component structure with functional location codes for CMMS setup.
Commercial Director
Key takeaways
- An asset hierarchy organises equipment into parent-child levels, typically Site, System, Asset and Component, so work and cost roll up the tree.
- A functional location code gives each node a stable address that stays the same even when the physical equipment in it is swapped out.
- Getting the hierarchy right before loading a CMMS is what makes work orders, history and cost reporting meaningful later.
- Three to five levels suits most sites; too many levels slow data entry, too few hide where failures and costs occur.
Updated 4 June 2026
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What is a asset hierarchy template?
An asset hierarchy template is a structured map of how equipment is organised into parent-child levels so that maintenance work, history and cost can be recorded at the right point and rolled up. A common structure runs Site, then System or functional area, then Asset, then Component, with each node given a functional location code that acts as its permanent address. It captures the level, the code, the parent it sits under, a description, the asset type and the criticality, giving a clear picture of how a plant is built up from sites down to the individual components that get maintained.
Asset hierarchies are the setup foundation for a CMMS or asset management system, used by reliability engineers, maintenance planners and asset managers in manufacturing, mining, facilities and utilities. A functional location stays constant even when the physical asset installed there is replaced, so failure history and cost stay attached to the position rather than being lost when equipment is swapped. Without a sound hierarchy, work orders attach to the wrong level and cost and reliability reporting becomes meaningless. In MapTrack, assets are arranged into a parent-child hierarchy so work orders, meter readings and costs roll up from a component to its asset, system and site. ISO 14224 provides a widely used framework for equipment hierarchy and reliability data.
Learn more about asset tracking in MapTrack.
Benefits of using this asset hierarchy template
- Meaningful roll-ups: a clean hierarchy lets work, downtime and cost aggregate from a component up to its asset, system and site.
- Stable history: a functional location code keeps failure and cost history attached to the position even when the asset in it is replaced.
- Right-level work orders: a defined structure means jobs are raised against the correct asset or component rather than a vague area.
- Faster CMMS setup: a hierarchy agreed on paper first turns a system load from guesswork into a structured import.
- Clear criticality: tagging criticality against each node shows where to focus preventive maintenance and spares holdings.
- Easier reporting: consistent levels and codes make cost-per-asset and reliability reporting comparable across sites.
- Onboarding clarity: new planners and technicians can see how the plant is structured and where each item of equipment sits.
Benefits of digitising forms in MapTrack
When you move your asset registers from paper to MapTrack, you get:
- Field users can easily scan a QR code to complete a form on mobile. Unlimited users.
- Automatically get alerts when faults are identified.
- Link every form digitally as a PDF to the relevant asset, location or person.
- Receive a digital PDF copy with every submission to your email.
- Ability to share forms digitally.
- Build conditional logic (show or hide questions based on answers).
- Take pictures or attach photos. Not possible with a paper-based form.
- Electronic signatures.
- Edit forms later without reprinting.
- Restrict permissions (who can view, complete or approve).
- Build forms with AI (describe what you need and MapTrack suggests the form).
- Maintain a live asset register with location, condition and custody history.
- Schedule and track calibration, certification and warranty expiry dates.
- Generate depreciation and total-cost-of-ownership reports per asset.
Book a demo to see how MapTrack handles asset registers.
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“Bloody amazing! We used to spend 1-2 days a week tracking and managing our generators alone.”
Steve McAllister
Asset Coordinator, Saunders International
What to include in a asset hierarchy template
This asset hierarchy template covers 10 key areas:
- Hierarchy details: organisation, site, prepared by and the date the structure was defined.
- Level: which tier the node sits at, such as Site, System, Asset or Component.
- Functional location code: the stable code or tag that addresses this node in the hierarchy.
- Parent code: the functional location of the node directly above, which sets the parent-child link.
- Description: a clear name for the site, system, asset or component.
- Asset type or class: the equipment category used for grouping and reporting.
- Manufacturer and model: useful at the asset and component levels for spares and history.
- Criticality: a rating such as high, medium or low to guide maintenance priority.
- Maintainable: whether the node is a maintainable item that work orders attach to.
- Notes: parent system, redundancy, location detail or any setup note for the CMMS load.
How to use this asset hierarchy template
- Agree the number of levels and the coding scheme before you start.: Decide how many tiers the hierarchy will use, commonly Site, System, Asset and Component, and define the functional location coding scheme. Settling this first keeps the structure consistent across sites and prevents a costly re-code once data is loaded.
- Map the top levels: sites and systems or functional areas.: Start at the top and list each site, then break each site into its systems or functional areas such as a process line, a building service or a fleet group. These upper levels are where cost and reliability reporting will aggregate, so name them clearly.
- List the assets within each system and give them codes.: Under each system, record the maintainable assets such as a pump, conveyor or generator, and assign each a functional location code that sits under its parent. The asset level is usually where most work orders are raised, so be thorough and consistent.
- Break critical assets down into components.: For assets where component-level history matters, add a component tier such as a motor, gearbox or bearing assembly. Only go this deep where the detail will be used, because every extra level adds data entry effort that has to be justified by the insight it gives.
- Assign criticality and confirm the parent-child links.: Rate the criticality of each node and check that every code points to a valid parent, so the tree is unbroken from component up to site. A node with no parent or a wrong parent will break the roll-up of work, downtime and cost later.
- Validate the hierarchy and load it into the CMMS.: Review the structure with the people who maintain the plant, confirm the codes are unique and the levels are consistent, then use the agreed hierarchy as the import structure for the asset management system. Keep it under change control so additions stay disciplined.
In MapTrack, you can manage your full asset register digitally. Each submission is stored as a timestamped PDF against the asset record.
Get the free templateEnter your email above to download the full asset hierarchy template as a PDF.Back to download formHow often should you complete this asset register?
Build the asset hierarchy once during the setup of a site or a CMMS, then maintain it under change control rather than reworking it often. Add new nodes when equipment is installed, retire codes when assets are permanently removed, and review the structure when a major plant change alters how systems are arranged. Avoid frequent restructures, because changing functional location codes breaks the history attached to them. In MapTrack, the hierarchy is held against each asset, so work orders and costs keep rolling up correctly as the structure is extended.
Frequently asked questions
Applicable regulatory standards
This template aligns with the following regulations and standards:
- ISO 14224 - Petroleum, petrochemical and natural gas industries: collection and exchange of reliability and maintenance data for equipment (equipment hierarchy and taxonomy)
- ISO 55001 - Asset Management Systems (systematic management of the asset base)
- ISO 55000 - Asset Management (overview, principles and terminology)
Need to manage your full asset register digitally?
Register every asset in MapTrack, attach digital forms, and get a complete history of every inspection, service and compliance record.