Interview Questions for Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) Proficiency

Implementing or migrating to a new CMMS is a significant undertaking, requiring careful planning and execution. It’s like moving house – you need to meticulously pack, transport, and unpack your ‘assets’ (in this case, maintenance data and processes). My experience includes leading a full migration from a legacy, on-premise system to a cloud-based solution. This involved several key phases:

• Data Migration: We meticulously cleaned and validated the existing data, ensuring accuracy and consistency before transferring it to the new system. This included data mapping, cleansing, and transformation to ensure compatibility with the new platform’s structure.
• System Configuration: This phase focused on customizing the new CMMS to match our specific operational needs. We configured equipment hierarchies, maintenance schedules, work order templates, and reporting dashboards tailored to our requirements. For example, we set up automated notifications for critical equipment nearing preventative maintenance deadlines.
• User Training: Thorough training for all users was crucial. We delivered a combination of online modules and hands-on workshops to ensure proficiency across all departments. We focused on practical exercises to accelerate user adoption.
• Go-Live and Support: The go-live phase involved a phased rollout to minimize disruption. We provided dedicated support during the initial weeks to address any issues and refine processes. Post-implementation, we conducted regular reviews to assess effectiveness and make necessary adjustments.

The successful migration resulted in improved data visibility, streamlined workflows, and reduced maintenance costs. The cloud-based solution also offered enhanced scalability and accessibility compared to the old system.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in CMMS are crucial for monitoring the effectiveness of your maintenance operations. Think of them as your maintenance scorecard. Here are some vital KPIs I routinely track:

• Mean Time To Repair (MTTR): This measures the average time taken to resolve a breakdown. A lower MTTR indicates faster response times and improved efficiency.
• Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF): This indicates the reliability of your equipment. A higher MTBF suggests fewer breakdowns and better equipment lifespan. We’d often use this to target proactive maintenance.
• Preventive Maintenance Compliance Rate: This shows the percentage of planned maintenance tasks completed on schedule. A low rate signifies potential risks and areas for improvement in scheduling or resource allocation.
• Work Order Backlog: Tracking outstanding work orders highlights potential bottlenecks and allows for proactive resource management. A growing backlog suggests that maintenance work is exceeding available resources.
• Maintenance Costs: Monitoring total maintenance costs against production output helps assess the overall efficiency of your maintenance strategy. We’d break these down to identify areas of high spend and opportunities for optimization.
• Inventory Turnover Rate: Keeping track of this metric assists in optimizing spare parts inventory levels, reducing storage costs, and preventing stockouts.

By regularly monitoring these KPIs, we can identify areas for improvement, optimize resource allocation, and reduce overall maintenance costs while improving equipment reliability.

Managing preventive maintenance (PM) tasks within a CMMS is like creating a detailed schedule for your equipment’s health check-ups. It’s all about proactive maintenance to prevent costly breakdowns. My process involves these steps:

• Equipment Creation: First, we create detailed records for each piece of equipment, including specifications, location, and associated critical parts.
• PM Schedule Creation: We then develop tailored PM schedules for each piece of equipment based on manufacturer recommendations, historical data, and risk assessments. This might involve creating recurring tasks (e.g., monthly lubrication, quarterly inspections) and assigning them to specific personnel or teams.
• Task Definition: Each PM task includes a detailed description of the procedure, required tools, spare parts, and safety precautions. This ensures consistency in execution.
• Work Order Generation: The CMMS automatically generates work orders based on the PM schedule, eliminating manual scheduling and reducing the chance of missed tasks.
• Tracking and Reporting: The system tracks the completion of PM tasks, allowing us to monitor compliance rates and identify areas where improvements are needed. Reporting features allow for performance analysis.

For example, if a machine requires lubrication every 100 hours of operation, the CMMS is configured to generate a work order when the machine’s meter reaches that threshold.

Generating work orders is the heart of reactive maintenance within a CMMS. It’s the system’s way of translating a maintenance need into actionable steps. My process is usually triggered by one of several events:

• Breakdown/Reactive Maintenance: A technician reports a malfunctioning piece of equipment directly through the CMMS mobile app or web interface. This often includes details of the issue and its impact on operations.
• Preventive Maintenance Schedule: As described earlier, the CMMS automatically generates work orders based on scheduled preventive maintenance tasks.
• Meter Readings: If equipment has operational meters (e.g., hours of operation), the CMMS automatically generates work orders when certain thresholds are met.
• Managerial Request: A supervisor might manually create a work order for tasks that aren’t triggered automatically, such as a general facility cleanup or planned refurbishment.

Once a work order is generated, it includes detailed information such as the equipment involved, the required tasks, assigned technicians, estimated time, priority level, and necessary parts. The system often sends notifications to relevant personnel.

Prioritizing work orders in high-pressure situations requires a clear and efficient system. I use a combination of factors to determine urgency:

• Impact on Operations: Work orders affecting critical equipment or production processes are prioritized. For example, a malfunctioning conveyor belt in a production line takes precedence over a leaky faucet.
• Safety Concerns: Issues posing safety risks to personnel or property are always top priority. This might include a faulty electrical panel or a damaged safety guard.
• Regulatory Compliance: Work orders related to legal or regulatory requirements are prioritized to avoid penalties or legal issues.
• Cost of Downtime: The potential financial impact of downtime influences priority. A broken machine producing a high-value product will receive immediate attention.

I employ a color-coded system (red, yellow, green) or a numerical priority scale (1-5) within the CMMS to clearly visualize the urgency of each work order. The system can also be configured to automatically escalate high-priority work orders to management if they remain unaddressed for a specified time.

CMMS supports various maintenance strategies, each with a different approach to equipment upkeep. Choosing the right strategy is critical for optimizing maintenance operations and minimizing downtime:

• Preventive Maintenance (PM): This involves scheduled maintenance tasks to prevent equipment failure. PM is like regular car servicing – it aims to extend equipment life and prevent unexpected breakdowns.
• Predictive Maintenance (PdM): This strategy uses sensors and data analytics to predict potential equipment failures *before* they occur. It’s like having a health monitor for your equipment – it helps you proactively address issues.
• Reactive Maintenance (RM): This involves repairing equipment only when it fails. This is the least efficient strategy, often resulting in unplanned downtime and higher repair costs. It’s like only fixing your car when it breaks down on the highway.
• Corrective Maintenance: This involves fixing equipment after a failure, often as a part of a reactive maintenance strategy. It focuses on addressing the root cause to prevent future failures.
• Condition-Based Maintenance (CBM): This is a more sophisticated approach than PM. It involves monitoring equipment’s condition to determine when maintenance is needed based on real-time data rather than pre-determined schedules.

Many organizations utilize a combination of these strategies, adapting their approach based on the specific equipment, criticality, and risk profile. A CMMS facilitates the implementation and tracking of all these maintenance strategies.

Ensuring data accuracy and integrity in a CMMS is paramount for its effective use. Inaccurate data leads to poor decision-making and potentially costly errors. My approach includes:

• Data Validation Rules: We implement data validation rules within the CMMS to prevent the entry of incorrect data. This might involve restricting certain fields to specific data types, enforcing mandatory fields, and using drop-down menus for standardized information.
• Regular Data Audits: We conduct regular audits of the CMMS database to check for inconsistencies, missing information, and outdated data. This involves comparing CMMS data to physical equipment inspections and documentation.
• User Training and Guidelines: Thorough training is provided to ensure users understand data entry procedures and the importance of accuracy. We provide clear guidelines on data entry best practices, and regular reminders reinforce the importance of data quality.
• Data Backup and Recovery: Regular backups of the CMMS database are essential to protect against data loss. We have a comprehensive data recovery plan in place to minimize disruption in case of a system failure.
• Workflow Approvals: Implementing a workflow approval process for critical data changes helps to maintain accuracy and consistency. For example, changes to equipment specifications might require approval from a designated supervisor.

Data accuracy is a continuous effort, not a one-time activity. By embedding these practices into our daily operations, we maintain a reliable and trustworthy CMMS database, ensuring the quality of all our decision-making.

CMMS reporting and analysis is crucial for optimizing maintenance strategies and improving operational efficiency. My experience encompasses generating a wide range of reports, from simple equipment downtime summaries to complex predictive maintenance analyses. I’m proficient in using various report generation tools within CMMS software to extract key performance indicators (KPIs).

For example, in my previous role, I developed a custom report that tracked the mean time to repair (MTTR) for critical equipment. This allowed us to identify bottlenecks in our repair process and implement targeted improvements, reducing MTTR by 15%. Another example involves using trend analysis on maintenance data to predict potential equipment failures before they occur, leading to proactive maintenance scheduling and preventing costly downtime.

I also leverage data visualization techniques to present findings clearly and effectively to stakeholders, using charts and graphs to highlight key trends and patterns. This ensures that maintenance performance is easily understood and actionable for management decision-making.

Discrepancies between planned and actual maintenance activities are common, but they shouldn’t be ignored. My approach focuses on identifying the root cause and implementing corrective actions. First, I thoroughly investigate the discrepancy. This involves reviewing work orders, maintenance logs, and communicating with technicians to understand why the planned activities deviated from the schedule.

Reasons for discrepancies can range from unforeseen equipment failures to inaccurate initial assessments of required time. Once the cause is identified, I update the CMMS system to reflect the actual work performed, including any adjustments to the planned schedule. This ensures that future maintenance planning is more accurate.

For instance, if a technician reports needing additional parts, I will update the inventory system and adjust the work order accordingly. If the discrepancy is due to a recurring issue, I’ll analyze the data to identify trends and potentially implement preventative measures. Regular review meetings with maintenance teams are essential to track these discrepancies, refine procedures and ensure continuous improvement.

Effective inventory management is a cornerstone of successful CMMS implementation. My experience involves using CMMS software to track all aspects of maintenance inventory, from spare parts and consumables to tools and equipment. I’m familiar with utilizing CMMS features such as:

• Automated reordering: Setting up minimum stock levels and automated alerts to trigger replenishment orders.
• Real-time tracking: Monitoring stock levels and location information to prevent shortages and optimize storage space.
• Part usage tracking: Recording part usage during maintenance activities to accurately forecast future needs and control costs.
• Serial number tracking: Managing equipment and parts with unique identifiers for efficient tracking and maintenance.

In a previous role, implementing a robust CMMS-integrated inventory management system led to a 20% reduction in inventory holding costs by reducing excess stock and minimizing waste due to expired or obsolete parts.

Integrating CMMS data with other enterprise systems is essential for holistic operational management. I have experience integrating CMMS with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, accounting software, and other relevant business applications. Integration methods vary depending on the systems involved, but common approaches include:

• API integration: Using Application Programming Interfaces to exchange data automatically between systems.
• Data export/import: Manually exporting data from the CMMS and importing it into other systems or vice-versa (though less efficient).
• Middleware solutions: Using third-party software to facilitate data exchange between disparate systems.

A successful example involved integrating our CMMS with our ERP system to automate the procurement process. When parts reached their minimum stock levels, the CMMS automatically generated purchase orders within the ERP system, streamlining the ordering process and preventing delays in maintenance activities.

CMMS mobile applications significantly enhance maintenance efficiency and responsiveness. My experience with mobile CMMS apps involves using them for tasks such as:

• Mobile work order creation and management: Technicians can access, update, and complete work orders directly on their mobile devices in the field.
• Real-time data entry: Recording maintenance activities, part usage, and labor hours instantly.
• Inventory management: Tracking parts and equipment using barcode scanners integrated with the app.
• Improved communication: Facilitating communication between technicians and supervisors through in-app messaging.

In one project, deploying a mobile CMMS app drastically improved the responsiveness of our maintenance team, resulting in a 10% decrease in equipment downtime and a better response to emergency repairs.

Implementing a CMMS often presents challenges, but effective planning and change management can mitigate them. Common challenges include:

• Data migration: Transferring existing data into the new system requires careful planning and validation.
• User adoption: Training and ongoing support are crucial for ensuring technicians and other users readily adopt the new system.
• Integration complexities: Integrating the CMMS with other systems can be complex and require specialized expertise.
• Resistance to change: Overcoming resistance to change from staff accustomed to manual processes requires careful communication and collaboration.

To overcome these, I focus on a phased approach, starting with a pilot project to test and refine the system before full deployment. Comprehensive training programs, effective communication strategies, and a user-friendly interface are critical. Addressing initial concerns and providing ongoing support are essential for successful implementation.

Measuring the ROI of a CMMS requires a multi-faceted approach, focusing on both tangible and intangible benefits. Tangible benefits include reduced maintenance costs, decreased downtime, and improved inventory management. Intangible benefits include improved operational efficiency, enhanced compliance, and better decision-making.

To quantify the ROI, I consider factors such as:

• Reduced maintenance costs: Calculating savings from optimized maintenance scheduling, reduced parts usage, and lower labor costs.
• Decreased downtime: Estimating the cost of downtime avoided due to proactive maintenance and faster repairs.
• Improved inventory management: Measuring savings from reduced inventory holding costs and waste reduction.
• Increased efficiency: Quantifying the improvements in labor productivity and overall operational efficiency.

By comparing the total cost of implementing and maintaining the CMMS against the savings and benefits realized, a clear picture of the ROI emerges. It’s vital to track these metrics continuously and demonstrate the ongoing value of the CMMS investment.

A CMMS is invaluable for ensuring compliance with industry regulations and internal policies. It centralizes all maintenance records, providing auditable trails for inspections, repairs, and preventative maintenance schedules. This eliminates the risk of missing critical maintenance tasks, leading to potential safety hazards or non-compliance penalties.

• Safety Regulations: Imagine a manufacturing plant; a CMMS meticulously tracks inspections of safety equipment like fire extinguishers or pressure vessels. This verifiable record demonstrates compliance with OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) regulations and minimizes liability risks.
• Warranty Compliance: A CMMS can track all equipment maintenance, ensuring adherence to manufacturer’s warranties. This protects investments and prevents costly warranty disputes.
• Environmental Regulations: For industries subject to environmental regulations, a CMMS can track waste disposal, emissions monitoring, and other environmentally-related activities. This ensures compliance with EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) or similar standards.

In short, a CMMS acts as a single source of truth for all maintenance-related activities, offering undeniable proof of compliance during audits.

Throughout my career, I’ve had extensive experience with various CMMS platforms, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. I’ve worked with both cloud-based systems like UpKeep and Fiix, and on-premise solutions like IBM Maximo. I’ve also had experience with smaller, more specialized systems tailored to specific industries. My experience spans different modules, including work order management, preventive maintenance scheduling, inventory tracking, and reporting. For example, with UpKeep, I appreciated its user-friendly interface and robust mobile capabilities, ideal for technicians working in the field. In contrast, IBM Maximo’s strength lies in its comprehensive functionality, suited for large, complex organizations with intricate maintenance needs. The key is understanding the specific needs of the organization and choosing the CMMS that best fits those requirements.

Training new CMMS users is crucial for successful implementation. My approach involves a blended learning strategy combining online modules, hands-on workshops, and ongoing support. The online modules provide a foundational understanding of the system’s features and functionalities. These modules are usually supplemented with interactive exercises and quizzes to reinforce learning. Following the online training, hands-on workshops allow users to practice using the CMMS in a guided environment. I typically use real-world scenarios and case studies to make the training relatable and engaging. Finally, I provide ongoing support through email, phone, or dedicated help desk access, addressing specific questions and providing tailored assistance as needed. I also create quick reference guides and FAQs to aid users in their daily tasks.

Troubleshooting CMMS issues requires a systematic approach. My preferred method involves a structured process:

1. Identify the Problem: Clearly define the issue. Is it a data entry error, a system malfunction, or a user error?
2. Gather Information: Collect relevant details. What are the error messages? When did the problem occur? Who was using the system?
3. Check the Obvious: Ensure the system is connected to the internet (if applicable), and the user has the necessary permissions.
4. Consult Documentation: Review the CMMS’s user manual and online help resources for troubleshooting guides or FAQs.
5. Check System Logs: Review system logs for any error messages or unusual activity that might point to the root cause.
6. Contact Support: If the issue persists, contact the CMMS vendor’s technical support team for assistance.

This systematic approach ensures a thorough investigation and helps resolve most CMMS problems efficiently.

Managing user access and security is critical for protecting sensitive data within a CMMS. I employ a multi-layered approach:

• Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): I assign users to specific roles with defined permissions. For example, technicians might have access to create and update work orders, while managers have broader access for reporting and system administration.
• Password Policies: Strong password policies are enforced, including minimum length requirements, complexity rules (uppercase, lowercase, numbers, symbols), and regular password changes.
• Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Implementing 2FA adds an extra layer of security, requiring users to provide a second verification factor (e.g., a code from a mobile app) in addition to their password.
• Regular Audits: I conduct periodic audits to review user access rights and identify any potential security vulnerabilities. This includes examining user activity logs to detect any suspicious behavior.
• Data Encryption: Ensuring data encryption both in transit and at rest safeguards sensitive information from unauthorized access.

This comprehensive strategy minimizes the risk of data breaches and ensures the confidentiality and integrity of the CMMS data.

Keeping a CMMS up-to-date and secure is an ongoing process. This involves a combination of proactive measures and regular maintenance:

• Software Updates: Regularly installing software updates and patches addresses security vulnerabilities and improves system performance. This often involves scheduling updates during off-peak hours to minimize disruption.
• Security Monitoring: Implementing a robust security monitoring system helps detect and respond to potential threats in real time. This might involve intrusion detection systems or security information and event management (SIEM) tools.
• Data Backups: Regularly backing up the CMMS data to a secure location protects against data loss due to hardware failures or cyberattacks. I always test data restoration procedures to ensure they work as expected.
• Security Training: Providing regular security awareness training to users reinforces best practices for protecting sensitive information and helps prevent phishing attacks or other social engineering threats.
• Vendor Collaboration: Maintaining a strong relationship with the CMMS vendor ensures access to the latest security patches and updates, and enables effective communication regarding any security incidents.

By proactively addressing security and updates, we maintain the reliability and integrity of the CMMS, protecting the business from potential disruptions and vulnerabilities.

One time, our CMMS experienced a major data corruption issue after a server failure. It was a critical situation, as all maintenance records were potentially lost. My first step was to contact our IT department to assess the damage and initiate data recovery efforts. While they worked on recovering the data from backups, I simultaneously focused on minimizing disruption to ongoing maintenance operations. We created a temporary manual system for recording work orders, prioritizing critical tasks. This involved using spreadsheets and coordinating with technicians through regular briefings. Once the IT team recovered the data, we meticulously verified its integrity, ensuring no critical information was lost. The experience highlighted the critical importance of robust data backup and disaster recovery planning. It also taught us the value of having a well-defined contingency plan to handle such emergencies, minimizing downtime and ensuring business continuity.

Improving Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) hinges on minimizing downtime and maximizing production. A CMMS is crucial in this process. We use it to schedule and track preventive maintenance, ensuring equipment is consistently operating at peak performance. This proactive approach reduces unexpected breakdowns, a major OEE inhibitor.

For example, imagine a bottling plant. By using the CMMS to schedule regular lubrication of conveyor belts (preventive maintenance), we prevent unexpected stoppages due to belt failure (reducing downtime). The CMMS allows us to monitor the effectiveness of these preventive maintenance tasks, allowing for adjustments to the maintenance schedule based on actual equipment performance. Furthermore, the CMMS’s work order system facilitates the timely completion of repairs, minimizing the time equipment is out of service after a breakdown (reducing downtime).

In addition, detailed records of equipment performance captured within the CMMS—such as production output and failure rates—provide valuable data to pinpoint bottlenecks and areas for improvement. This data-driven approach enables targeted interventions to boost OEE.

Root cause analysis (RCA) is critical for preventing recurring equipment failures. CMMS data provides a rich source of information for conducting effective RCAs. We leverage the CMMS’s historical data on equipment failures, maintenance activities, and associated downtime to identify patterns and trends.

For instance, if a specific machine consistently fails after a certain number of operating hours, the CMMS data can reveal this pattern. This could point to a problem with a specific component that needs replacement or improved maintenance procedures. We would use the CMMS’s reporting features to generate reports showing the frequency of failures, the time of day they occur, and any maintenance activities performed before the failures. This data allows us to analyze the potential root causes systematically, applying techniques such as the 5 Whys or Fishbone diagrams.

The CMMS also allows for documenting the findings of each RCA, and assigning corrective actions. This ensures that lessons learned are captured and applied to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future. This continuous improvement cycle, driven by data from the CMMS, is essential for driving down maintenance costs and improving overall equipment reliability.

I have extensive experience customizing and configuring CMMS systems to meet specific organizational needs. This often involves working with the vendor to modify existing functionalities or integrate the CMMS with other enterprise systems such as ERP or SCADA systems.

In a previous role, we needed to integrate our CMMS with our inventory management system to automatically trigger parts orders when maintenance activities require specific components. This required configuration of the CMMS to interface with the inventory system’s API and setting up automated workflows. This reduced lead time on parts procurement and significantly improved the speed of repairs. Another example involved customizing our CMMS’s reporting features to generate tailored reports specific to different departments’ needs, such as reports on energy consumption based on equipment usage.

My approach to customization prioritizes user-friendliness and efficiency. I always strive to optimize the system to reduce manual data entry and to automate repetitive tasks whenever possible. This is crucial for user adoption and maximizing the return on investment in the CMMS.

Informed maintenance decisions are the cornerstone of effective maintenance management. CMMS data is vital in this process. We use the CMMS to analyze historical data on equipment failures, maintenance costs, and downtime to identify trends and predict future needs.

For example, if we see a significant increase in the number of failures for a particular piece of equipment, the CMMS can help us identify the potential root causes and determine the optimal maintenance strategy. This could involve scheduling more frequent preventive maintenance tasks, replacing worn-out components, or retraining personnel on proper equipment operation. The CMMS also allows us to track the costs associated with different maintenance strategies, allowing for data-driven decision-making on budget allocation.

Furthermore, CMMS data helps us prioritize maintenance tasks based on their impact on production. We use the CMMS’s reporting tools to identify critical equipment that requires immediate attention versus equipment that can tolerate a slightly longer maintenance schedule without significantly impacting overall production. This proactive approach ensures that maintenance resources are allocated effectively.

I’m familiar with various maintenance management methodologies, including Reliability-Centered Maintenance (RCM), Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), and Preventive Maintenance (PM). Each offers a unique approach to optimizing equipment maintenance.

• RCM focuses on identifying the critical functions of equipment and determining the best maintenance strategies to ensure their continued reliability. It’s a systematic approach to prioritize maintenance tasks based on their impact on equipment failure and operational consequences.
• TPM involves a total engagement approach, empowering all employees to participate in maintenance activities. It emphasizes proactive maintenance to eliminate losses and improve overall equipment effectiveness. It’s highly collaborative and involves a shift in culture.
• PM involves performing routine maintenance tasks on a scheduled basis to prevent equipment failures. While simple, it’s crucial for extending equipment life and preventing catastrophic failures. CMMS software is instrumental in managing PM schedules effectively.

My experience includes implementing and adapting these methodologies to various contexts, always tailoring the approach to the specific needs of the equipment and the organization. I believe a blended approach, using elements of RCM to prioritize maintenance and TPM to foster a culture of ownership, often yields the best results.

Managing and tracking maintenance costs is a key function of a CMMS. The system provides tools to track all expenses related to maintenance, from labor costs to parts and materials. This detailed tracking allows for better budgeting and cost control.

The CMMS typically allows you to assign costs to specific work orders, equipment, or departments. This allows for detailed analysis of where maintenance costs are incurred and the identification of areas for potential savings. For instance, we can track the cost of preventive maintenance versus corrective maintenance and compare the cost effectiveness of different approaches. This data can inform decisions on whether preventative maintenance saves more money in the long run by reducing costly repairs.

Furthermore, the CMMS provides reporting capabilities to summarize maintenance expenses over time and allows for cost comparisons across different periods or equipment types. This helps in identifying trends, anomalies and assists in making informed budget planning for future maintenance needs.

Understanding the different types of maintenance is fundamental to effective maintenance management. They each serve a distinct purpose and contribute to different aspects of equipment lifecycle management.

• Preventive Maintenance (PM): This involves performing routine maintenance tasks on a scheduled basis to prevent equipment failures. Think of it as regular checkups to keep your car running smoothly. Examples include lubrication, cleaning, and inspections.
• Corrective Maintenance (CM): This is reactive maintenance performed after a failure has occurred. It’s like fixing your car after it breaks down. Examples include repairing a broken pump or replacing a faulty sensor. CM is costly and disrupts operations.
• Predictive Maintenance (PdM): This involves using data and sensors to predict when equipment is likely to fail. This allows for proactive intervention, preventing failures before they occur. Think of it as using diagnostic tools to identify potential problems before they become major issues. Examples include vibration analysis, thermal imaging, or oil analysis.

A balanced approach incorporating all three types, prioritized strategically based on equipment criticality and cost considerations, is typically the most effective. The CMMS enables effective planning and tracking of all three types of maintenance.