You’re part of a maintenance team, but do you know the purpose of the maintenance department? Here are some options for you to choose from:
A. Keep equipment running.
B. Restore failed equipment to its original condition.
C. Perform preventive work.
D. Keep product flowing out the door.
E. All of the above.
F. None of the above.
The correct answer is F. But each of those statements is correct if a qualifier is added. See if you can figure out why, from these examples:
A. Keep [critical] equipment running [as required and as far as practical].
B. Restore failed equipment to its original condition [if that condition is suitable the conditions of use; modify the equipment if not].
C. Perform [targeted] preventive work [on a priority basis]. [Obtain the most revenue or profit from the maintenance resources used, after applying sufficient maintenance to ensure environmental and safety targets are met].
D. Keep [the most profitable] product within specifications and flowing out the door [along with product that is critical to securing or retaining key customers].
Without such qualifiers, stated maintenance goals tend to produce resource misallocation. Overcoming mental shortcuts and oversimplification by adding the right qualifiers can take your maintenance performance well beyond the next level. Different equipment has different value to the company; allocate maintenance resources accordingly.
