TABLE OF CONTENTS This chapter explains why planning is only a tool and where it fits into the maintenance picture. Figure 1.1 shows that while planning does not solve everything by itself, planning has a special relationship with the other areas of maintenance. Planning brings together, integrates, and even drives many of the other aspects of maintenance. This chapter identifies other necessary maintenance tools and their relationship to planning. Other tools needed include a work order system; equipment data and history; leadership, management, communication, and teamwork; qualified personnel; shops, tool rooms, and tools; storeroom support; process improvements; and maintenance measurement. In addition, the chapter considers essential reliability maintenance consisting of preventive maintenance, predictive maintenance, and project maintenance. The intent of this chapter is not to be a complete handbook on its own for maintenance management. However, planning is deeply integrated into most of the other aspects of maintenance. Therefore, this chapter finds it worthwhile not only to identify these other areas and their relationship to planning, but to illustrate common opportunities for improvement within them as well.
Maintenance is not complicated, just a toolbox full of ordinary tools. Nonetheless, one has to take the tools out of the box and use each for its intended application. Most superior maintenance organizations simply use all the tools and do the basics very well.
A tool is a device or instrument that helps one accomplish a...
