Understanding the Business Process

When computerizing any business process, it is important to understand the business process clearly. This is particularly true when the business process is maintenance. A complete maintenance strategy has many components. Understanding how an organization is going to develop its overall strategy is important in configuring and implementing a CMMS/EAM system. In addition, there are organizational considerations such as roles and responsibilities, and staffing levels. Finally, the organization's attitudes toward its assets and the maintenance function are critical to fully realizing any investment made in computerizing maintenance management. This chapter will be divided into the following three sections:

• Maintenance strategy components

• Organizational issues

• Organizational attitudes

Maintenance Management Strategy Components

What components comprise a comprehensive maintenance (asset) management strategy? The list includes (but is not be limited to) the following:

1. Preventive Maintenance

2. Inventory and Procurement

3. Work Flow and Controls

4. CMMS Usage

5. Technical and Interpersonal Training

6. Operational Involvement

7. Predictive Maintenance

8. Reliability Centered Maintenance

9. Total Productive Maintenance

10. Financial Optimization

11. Continuous Improvement

There is a structure to the maintenance (asset) management function. It is best compared to a pyramid, as shown in Figure 2-1. In this figure, it is apparent that a foundation must be in place to build a successful maintenance management process. That foundation is preventive maintenance. Once it is in place, stores, work flow, CMMS, and training...