How should a CMMS be Configured to Optimize Return on Asset?

14 Animated Power Points (plus 1 master)

This set of power points can be yours for a nominal cost. Simply send an email (listed on contacts information under LinkedIn profile) and I will explain options. This is information I wish I had as a junior CMMS consultant just starting my career.

Training Course Overview

This is a training course intended for reliability professionals and CMMS technologists who want to advance their knowledge in CMMS optimization supporting asset management. This course instructs the user how to leverage data in the CMMS to make more informed decisions. It will not only optimize system utilization, but more importantly, improve asset performance and work force productivity.

This course specifically discusses advanced processes which deliver the greatest potential benefit to stakeholders. It is these advanced processes which enable stakeholders to do the right work at the right time with the right staff. And by focusing on the worst offenders you will be doing the best you can at reducing work and optimizing ROA.

Improving the Bottom Line

Utilization or Optimization -- Which State are you in?

An optimized state knows how to reduce reactive maintenance; perform chronic failure analysis; calculate/store risk-based asset criticality; create a living program for RCM; generate automatic resource leveled weekly maintenance schedule inside the CMMS; link PM to failure modes; create a long range plan; and optimize ROA. This is stuff you won't find in the vendor training manual.

Optimization Typically Begins After Go-Live

Implementing or even upgrading a CMMS is a busy time. The users are learning new software and how to navigate the screens. They are trying to understand how this software will affect their routine. For example, will it make it harder or easier? The consultants will likely make recommendations on how to set up the system. But true process optimization will not happen until staff becomes comfortable with the product, which could be many months later, and only then if someone suggests this action.

Please notice that I am differentiating between CMMS optimization and a Program for Reliability/Maintainability Excellence. But it does seem many struggle to optimize their CMMS to take full advantage of "what could be". The reason for stopping short could be simply a lack of knowledge. And without optimizing the CMMS first, you will then struggle to create a reliability framework and asset management system?.

There are many articles on implementing a CMMS, planner/scheduler ratios, taxonomies, hierarchies, and SMD but very few talk about designing the CMMS to make more informed decisions (also called management by exception). If one looked on the internet, you would also see many references to how bad the data quality is or unclear roles/responsibilities. Not only is there a lack of vision but leadership may not really care what happens with the CMMS. All together this is not a factor of the software, rather, this is a factor of your mismanagement.

Advanced Processes are Best Practices

The definition of what defines either is a moving target. But until which that target is commonplace, then it is something only a few have achieved. So for now, WO feedback, RCA, weekly schedules, chronic failure analysis and project cost-schedule integration are examples of processes which focus resources, support asset integrity, add efficiency, and improve safety, which in turn, helps you optimize return on asset (ROA).

Be Aware of Possible Roadblocks

An organization is at risk when there is only?one guy in charge of the CMMS. Whenever there is one-guy in charge of the CMMS there is also a high probability of a disconnect between reliability professionals and the technology. It is not that this single individual doesn’t want to help. Rather it is a situation of being overwhelmed with activities. The business of asset management is much more than the CMMS. That said, improper administration of the CMMS limits the success of the asset management system.

If there was a core team representing the functional user groups, they would be able to handle a larger influx of activities and also provide a fair prioritization of tasks. In order to optimize asset performance, it is important that the CMMS be properly configured. Chronic failure analysis requires accurate failure coding and failure analysis capabilities. Backlog management requires craft estimates and ranking of the backlog. Scheduling of work requires a weekly schedule. This core team would also consist of a CMMS administrator, business analyst, gatekeeper, HSE representative and reliability engineer. The core team would report to the asset manager and provide technical support to the reliability team, e.g., the bad actor report. Therefore, it is better to acquire a team consensus when making critical decisions regarding asset management as this helps user groups feel involved and have greater buy-in.

You Need a Plan

It's easy to become overwhelmed -- especially if you are a small organization. But senior management is responsible for planning ahead and this is best done with a long range plan. The LRP identifies the shortest path to value. Plus, it shows the necessary sequencing of activities and required resources.

The Courseware

Below are 14 separate topics - not counting the introduction. This content is based on site experiences as an international consultant (3 decades) across multiple industries. This delivery merges content from my 3 books, 200 LinkedIn posts, magazine articles, conference presentations, and US Patent (on maintenance scheduling). The target audience is the CMMS user community, asset management stakeholders and software consultants who want to learn more.

Amazon has the above books, or you can goto the Reliabilityweb.com on-line bookstore.