How can you use data to improve facility reliability?

2 Data analysis and visualization

The second step to use data for improving facility reliability is to analyze and visualize the data to gain insights and identify patterns, trends, and anomalies. Depending on your data sources and types, you may use different methods and tools for data analysis and visualization, such as descriptive statistics that summarize the basic features of the data, inferential statistics that test hypotheses and draw conclusions from the data, predictive analytics that use historical and current data to forecast future outcomes, or prescriptive analytics that suggest optimal actions and solutions. Intuitive data visualization techniques such as charts, graphs, or dashboards should also be used to communicate the results of your data analysis.

3 Data-driven decision making

The third step to use data for improving facility reliability is to make informed and effective decisions based on the insights and recommendations from your data analysis and visualization. Depending on your goals and challenges, you can use data to inform design and engineering decisions, operation and maintenance decisions, and improvement and innovation decisions. You should also monitor and measure the impact of your data-driven decisions on your facility reliability using relevant indicators and metrics, such as availability, reliability, maintainability, etc.

4 Data governance and management

The fourth step to use data for improving facility reliability is to establish and follow data governance and management practices that ensure the quality, security, and usability of your data. Data governance and management involve setting and enforcing policies, standards, and procedures for data collection, storage, processing, and sharing. Thus, it's important to define and document the roles and responsibilities of data owners, stewards, and users in your facility. Additionally, you should implement data quality controls and checks such as validation, verification, cleaning, etc., as well as protect and backup your data from unauthorized access, loss or corruption. Furthermore, you should update and upgrade your data infrastructure and systems like hardware, software or network. Lastly, it's also essential to review and audit your data governance and management practices regularly to ensure compliance with your facility reliability objectives.

5 Data culture and literacy

The fifth step to use data for improving facility reliability is to foster and promote a data culture and literacy among your facility staff and stakeholders. Data culture and literacy refer to attitudes, skills, and knowledge that enable effective and ethical use of data in your facility. To cultivate and enhance data culture and literacy, you should educate and train staff and stakeholders on the benefits, challenges, and best practices of using data for facility reliability. Additionally, it is important to encourage collaboration among staff and stakeholders, using common language, tools, and platforms. You should also recognize and reward those who make data contributions with feedback, incentives, and recognition. Lastly, continuous learning opportunities should be provided to keep up with the latest trends in data and facility reliability.

6 Data challenges and opportunities

The final step to use data for improving facility reliability is to recognize and address the challenges and opportunities that data presents. Data is not a one-size-fits-all solution, but rather a dynamic and valuable asset that requires continual attention and adaptation. Common challenges and opportunities include data availability and accessibility, data integration and interoperability, data ethics and privacy, and data innovation and transformation. Additionally, you should be aware of the potential risks or uncertainties that data may introduce or amplify, such as errors, biases, or breaches.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?