Overview

RCM is one of the forms of Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) used to help ensure the reliability and integrity of complex systems by identifying the optimum program of predictive and preventive maintenance. RCM comes in a number of shapes and sizes. It seems that individuals who are advocates of one form of RCM are dead-set opposed to the other forms. Since I have never seen anyone arrested for using the improper form of RCM, I guess we can focus just on improving reliability and leave all the arguing to others.

Depending on how the form of RCM being used is structured, it can do a few things or it can incorporate a number of objectives into one analysis. Individuals who have participated in several of the different forms of FMEA (like Process Hazard Analysis and Risk Based Inspection) will know that there are similarities between these forms of analysis. Similar forms of information must be gathered in preparation for any of these forms of analysis. The content of discussions and workshops, and the participants in those discussions and workshops, are also very similar. The most effective and efficient way to perform these analyses is to design them in a manner that ensures you get the "biggest bang for your buck". My philosophy is to modify the design of the RCM analysis to fulfill all my objectives.

In the following discussion,...