Tennessee utilities are at a critical juncture in asset management planning. In 2022, TDEC raised the bar by making comprehensive Asset Management Plans (AMPs) a prerequisite for full funding support of expanded State Revolving Fund (SRF) opportunities. With unprecedented funding now available, TDEC requires utilities to submit comprehensive Asset Management Plans (AMPs) as a condition for full SRF eligibility. This mandate reflects a shift from basic inventory exercises toward holistic planning that demonstrates governance, resiliency, and financial stewardship. Many utilities have adopted TDEC’s AMP workbook to capture inventory and perform preliminary analysis. While this is a useful starting point, relying solely on the workbook falls short of TDEC’s expectations. A complete AMP must include a narrative that addresses service-level goals, risk and criticality scoring, funding strategies, and improvement planning: elements that transform raw data into actionable insights and defensible compliance documentation. This session provides the context behind TDEC’s requirements, explains why AMPs are essential for securing SRF funding, and offers practical steps to bridge the gap between workbook outputs and a full narrative. Templates and checklists will be shared to help utilities meet TDEC’s standards and position themselves for success in the current funding environment.