Traditionally, equipment fails and maintenance techs show up to fix it. For many repairs, this is sufficient, even if the techs have no training or experience with that equipment. For other repairs, extensive preparation pays off. For example, what if a large motor fails? With a repair strategy, it might go as follows:
Because this is Equipment X, one of three trained techs gets the repair notification. The tech methodically runs a prearranged battery of tests, using test equipment allocated specifically for Equipment, X, Y, and Z (kept in a special locker, along with tools). The tech determines the motor needs an in-place rewind. The company's motor repair shop has information about that motor in their system. They send a crew with the parts and equipment to perform the rewind. The crew has already undergone contractor safety training and has access badges, reducing by several hours the time when repair can begin.
From this example, you can see some elements of thinking out a repair before the need to perform it. If you develop a repair strategy for all of your critical equipment, you can greatly reduce the turnaround time for critical equipment failure.
