Management Acceptance

The key to management acceptance is educating management about the value of TPM. Understanding how to assign a dollar value to the Overall Equipment Effectiveness calculation was highlighted in Chapter 3. Some of the techniques from Chapter 11 about Total Economic Maintenance will also help. There are also other opportunities, some of which can be learned from studying the history of quality programs.

There are amazing similarities between the obstacles that TQC programs had to overcome and those facing maintenance organizations. Consider the works or Crosby, Deming, Juran, and others. Learn how they convinced management that it was time to take action. Also study the methodologies they used to implement their ideas because they have major application to maintenance programs.

Consider Figure 14-1. The pyramid in part A is typical of those American industries that tried to implement all of the various World Class programs, but neglected to provide a strong foundation (usu ally their assets). Over a period of time the programs begin to crack and crumble, and the shifting sands of the market and competition take their toll. In part B, a strong foundation of maintenance basics, coupled with world class programs, presents a solid pyramid without any cracks. Because the assets support the goals and objectives of the other programs, the company can remain competitive, no matter what challenges are thrown against it.

Figure 14-1: Maintenance...