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This paper examines some of the key aspects of the process of maintenance management of the built cultural heritage. It is primarily based on responses to a questionnaire from a number of maintenance managers all of whom are responsible for significant stocks of historic buildings within their portfolios. The research identifies two types of organisation; “heritage focused” and “non‐heritage focused”. It examines differences in approach between them in the following key areas: aims and objectives of the organisation, the use of external consultants and condition surveys, prioritisation and costs. The paper identifies areas for further research. It also suggests that the identification of cultural significance embodied in the fabric of historic buildings and consideration of its vulnerability should be a prerequisite for determining approaches to maintenance management.

The purpose of this paper is to identify factors that contribute to the development of an effective conservation management plan (CMP).

The approach was based on a literature review from which key issues and concerns were identified. This was followed by in-depth interviews with a number of creators and users of CMPs.

CMPs have developed as an identifiable process with the key stages having a logic and synergy with each other. The research found that undue emphasis was placed on some stages at the expense of others which lead to ineffective management tools often being produced. The reasons for this are related to the interests and background of the creators and a lack of interaction with organisational culture and processes – and importantly a failure to engage with frontline staff. In addition, there were also resource and skill constraints within the client organisation.

Interviews were conducted with six creators (consultants) and seven users. These were mostly from national heritage organisations and specialist heritage consultants. A wider range of user organisations and consultants could be identified for follow-up research. Also those who actually deliver CMPs “on the ground” and day to day could form an important part of the development of this research.

CMPs should be practical working management tools which have to be used by the heritage organisation in order to be effective. This research will hopefully help practitioners focus on what needs to be done in order to produce an effective plan.

The conservation of built heritage is essentially concerned with the protection of a social good. CMPs have the potential to provide effective protection of that which is seen as valuable and significant to individuals, groups and society at large.

The management of heritage is an area that is generally under-researched. This work will hopefully be engaged with by academics and practitioners in order to help establish and promote a wider interest in the field.

This paper aims to examine the role and purpose of condition surveys used by heritage organisations.

The study is based on the analysis of questionnaires and interviews with a range of leading heritage organisations in the UK.

The research suggests that the management of maintenance, and specifically the implementation of condition surveys, lacked an explicit underlying strategic basis. The strategic opportunities implied by the development of conservation planning methodologies had not been translated into management practice and had not impacted on the implementation of condition surveys.

Further investigation into the organisational and process barriers to utilising conservation plans in developing integrated management of the built cultural heritage is needed.

This paper will be of use to practitioners and academics interested in appropriate and sustainable maintenance and management of the built cultural heritage.

Considers some of the issues that arise when conservation philosophy is put into practice, by examining the repair of protected historic timber‐framed buildings. Examines, primarily, the attitudes of key national heritage organisations, a number of prominent individuals and a significant number of conservation officers. Suggests that, while the practical and theoretical role of the repair guidance is acknowledged by practitioners, the reality is that work carried out to timber‐framed buildings often lacks the clarity and coherence contained within that guidance. Suggests, further, that current guidance, while coherent, is too narrowly based and fails to reflect current concerns regarding appropriate approaches to valuing the built cultural heritage.

This paper considers the value of using computer models to store, manage and illustrate records of historic buildings. The paper is based upon the research and development work carried out by a team at the University of the West of England (UWE) in building such a model. It considers some of the problems that were encountered and reflects upon the skills and resources necessary for its construction. Multiple media are now available for data acquisition and entry. More overt and explicit classification and codification of facts is necessary using computers. The chosen media and descriptors will enhance or limit the later use of such data. Few heritage organisations have achieved maturity in their use of computer‐based information systems. Such use necessarily starts with acquisition of an archive of data but ought to proceed to being able to answer locational questions such as “where” and “when” and ultimately to the support of strategic analysis and “what‐if” speculation. It is argued that both media and descriptors have to be chosen appropriately to support these longer term applications. This paper explores some options, discusses criteria for selection, and considers how organisations will need to collect, assemble and use data in order to construct such models.