Management as a Technical Discipline in Energy: Part 2

Abstract This is the second of a series of publications that highlight the technical aspects of management, following the SPE Asset Management Technical Section (AMTS) taxonomy, covering Asset and Portfolio Management; Risk Management and Decision-Making; Strategic Planning; Energy Economics; and Professionalism, Training, and Education. The name of the AMTS was revised from Management Technical Section to Asset Management Technical Section by the SPE Board of Directors effective October 2025. This paper explores the evolution of specific sub-disciplines in management, highlighting the need for establishing industry standards, guidelines, and best practices to enhance efficiency and organizational effectiveness. Management is often linked to people skills, though the technical methodologies within this discipline are well-established in the energy sector. This paper focuses on a second set of five sub-disciplines from the 29 listed in the SPE Management taxonomy, illustrating their progression over time, integration with other disciplines in the energy sector, and the corresponding evolution of roles of the pertinent practitioners. Challenges and opportunities in the managerial technical approaches of each of these five managerial skills are analyzed. The technical sub-disciplines studied are: Asset integrity Decision-making processes Project Management Energy policy and regulation Ethics The analysis of the AMTS sub-disciplines explored in this "Part 2" article produced two significant outcomes: 1) an evolution timeline showcasing how data analytics, shifts in economic frameworks, and new environmental frameworks have shaped managerial techniques, impacting decision-making, and 2) a comprehensive list of opportunities and challenges for deploying best practices in the subdisciplines analyzed. The SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition (ATCE) is an ideal platform to share the latest advancements pertinent to management, offering insights into past achievements and future projections that expand on the importance of the Management technical discipline for the energy sector at large. The conclusions highlight the importance of expanding the technical profile and perception of all management sub-disciplines. The five case studies from the AMTS taxonomy stress the need for practitioners to continuously enhance their technical skills and stay updated on best practices, methodologies, trends, and standards. This article aims to inspire and compel students and young professionals to acquire management skills early, as an essential part of their leadership in technical or corporate roles.