Maintenance Archives

Tag: Maintenance

ReliabilityX Blog

04 / 1 / 2024

The Execution Gap: Why People Don’t Follow Through on Work

In the world of work, execution is key. It's not just about having great ideas or making ambitious plans; it's about turning those ideas into action and seeing plans through to completion. However, despite our best intentions, many of us struggle to execute work effectively. So, why is this? What causes the execution gap? Let's explore some common reasons why people fail to execute work and how we can overcome these challenges. Lack of Clarity and Direction One of the main reasons why people fail to execute work is a lack of clarity and direction. When tasks or goals are …Read more »

Tags: clarity, direction, failure, gap, Maintenance, motivation, Operations, time management

ReliabilityX Blog

03 / 14 / 2024

Mastering Time Management: Essential Skills for Maintenance Managers

Effective time management is crucial for maintenance managers, who are responsible for overseeing maintenance operations, coordinating schedules, and ensuring that equipment and facilities are well-maintained. In this blog, we'll explore some essential time management skills that can help maintenance managers optimize their productivity and achieve their goals. Prioritization One of the key skills for maintenance managers is the ability to prioritize tasks effectively. This involves identifying the most important tasks and allocating time and resources accordingly. By focusing on high-priority tasks first, maintenance managers can ensure that critical maintenance activities are completed on time. Planning and Scheduling Effective planning and …Read more »

Tags: adaptability, Continuous Improvement, delegation, Maintenance, planning, scheduling, time management, time management tracking

ReliabilityX Blog

02 / 20 / 2024

A Guide to Developing a Supervisory Skill Set in Maintenance

Supervisors in maintenance play a crucial role in ensuring the efficient operation of equipment and facilities. To be effective in this role, they need a combination of technical knowledge and management skills. Some key management skills necessary for a supervisor in maintenance include: Technical Proficiency: A strong understanding of maintenance principles, practices, and techniques is essential for effectively supervising maintenance operations. This includes knowledge of equipment, systems, and processes relevant to the organization. Problem-Solving Skills: Maintenance supervisors must be able to identify and solve complex problems related to equipment breakdowns, maintenance processes, and safety issues. This requires critical thinking and …Read more »

Tags: Continuous Improvement, Leadership, Maintenance, Reliability, training

ReliabilityX Blog

12 / 20 / 2023

Mastering Maintenance Leadership: The Blueprint for Strategic Business Planning

In the realm of maintenance leadership, strategic business planning isn't an option; it's a prerequisite for success. The dynamic interplay of technology, industry standards, and organizational needs demands a clear roadmap for navigating the complex landscape of maintenance and reliability. Here, we delve into the significance of maintenance leadership in business planning and how it paves the way for optimal asset management and operational excellence. The Fusion of Leadership and Strategy Maintenance leadership transcends the role of maintaining equipment and preventing breakdowns. It requires a strategic vision that aligns with the organization's overarching goals. Successful maintenance leaders operate as change …Read more »

Tags: 4.0, asset, asset management strategy, business planning, CMMS, CMS, Continuous Improvement, cost reduction, data, IoT, Leadership, Maintenance, maintenance leader, Reliability, reliability engineering, strategy

ReliabilityX Blog

12 / 14 / 2023

Mastering Lubrication Excellence: Building a World-Class Lubrication Program

In the industrial landscape, the humble lubricant might seem inconspicuous, but it plays a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth operation of machinery, reducing friction, and extending the life of critical assets. Achieving lubrication excellence isn't just a matter of choosing the right oil; it's about developing a comprehensive program that encompasses the best practices, advanced technologies, and a culture of precision. In this blog, we will explore the methods to build a world-class lubrication program that's the cornerstone of operational success. Understanding the Importance of Lubrication Excellence A world-class lubrication program is more than just routine maintenance; it's a …Read more »

Tags: culture, environmental responsibility, fundamentals, industrial, Leadership, lubricant, machinery lubrication, Maintenance, Reliability

ReliabilityX Blog

11 / 27 / 2023

Elevating Excellence: Unveiling the Art of Maintenance, Repairs, and Operations Process Development

In the intricate web of industrial operations, maintenance, repairs, and operations (MRO) process development stands as the unsung hero, optimizing workflows, minimizing downtime, and ensuring the seamless continuity of production. It's a craft that requires precision, strategic planning, and a knack for efficiency. Let's embark on a journey to uncover the art of MRO process development and why it's the lynchpin of high-quality operations. The Artistry of MRO Process Development MRO process development is the science of creating a structured, efficient system to manage the maintenance, repairs, and operations of assets. It goes far beyond reactive fixes; it's about proactive …Read more »

Tags: Asset Management, CMMS, Cost Efficiency, downtime, Maintenance, MRO, Operations, Reliability, Safety, Spare Parts, Workflow

ReliabilityX Blog

11 / 9 / 2023

Cultivating Excellence: The Art of Building a Reliability Culture

In the realm of industrial operations, a culture of reliability isn't just a preference; it's a necessity. It's the bedrock of efficiency, safety, and sustainability, providing the fertile ground for organizations to thrive and adapt in an ever-evolving world. In this blog, we will explore the methods and principles that guide the development of a reliability culture, the essence of operational excellence. Understanding the Reliability Culture A reliability culture is a shared commitment within an organization to consistently deliver on promises and expectations. It's about instilling a mindset where everyone, from top management to front-line employees, values reliability as a …Read more »

Tags: accountability, culture, data driven, Efficiency, Excellence, Leadership, Maintenance, measurement, Operations, Preventive Maintenance, Reliability, Safety, training, Value

ReliabilityX Blog

11 / 6 / 2023

Building Credibility: The Cornerstone of Professional Success

Credibility, often described as the currency of trust, is a quality that sets the foundation for professional success. It's the attribute that influences how others perceive your competence, reliability, and integrity. Whether you're an individual striving to advance your career or a business aiming to gain the trust of your clients, credibility is your guiding star. In this blog, we'll delve into the methods of developing and enhancing credibility to help you stand out in your professional journey. Expertise and Knowledge Building credibility begins with expertise. The more you know about your field, the more you can contribute meaningfully. Continuously …Read more »

Tags: Adaptions, Authenticity, Communication, Community, Consistency, Ethical Standards, Expertise, Feedback, Knowledge, Leadership, Learning, Learning Management, Maintenance, Operations, Performance, Value

ReliabilityX Blog

10 / 25 / 2023

Exemplary Maintenance Leadership: The Backbone of High-Quality Operations

In the world of industrial and manufacturing enterprises, where precision and reliability are paramount, maintenance leadership stands as the unsung hero. Behind the scenes, these individuals and teams are the custodians of high-quality operations, ensuring that machinery hums with efficiency, downtime is minimized, and standards are not just met but exceeded. Let's take a closer look at the essence of exemplary maintenance leadership and why it's the cornerstone of a well-oiled operation. The Role of Maintenance Leadership Maintenance leaders are the linchpin of a successful operation. Their responsibilities encompass a wide array of crucial functions, from managing preventive and predictive …Read more »

Tags: analytics, Continuous Improvement, cost savings, downtime, leaders, Leadership, Maintenance, Operations, quality, tools, training

ReliabilityX Blog

08 / 24 / 2023

The 10 Habits of Highly Effective Reliability-AM professionals

Over thirty years ago, Steven R Covey, renowned author, and business management guru, introduced to us “ The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People”, which presented an approach to being effective in attaining personal or business goals by aligning to what he called “True North” principles based on character ethics. This book has become a best seller, a must-read, and has sold 40 million copies worldwide. The first three habits moving from dependence to independence (Creating self-mastery) are: 1) Be Proactive. 2) Began with the end in mind. 3) Put first thing first. The next three habits that talk about interdependence (working …Read more »

Tags: Continuous Improvement, Maintenance, Operations, Reliability

ReliabilityX Blog

06 / 1 / 2023

Duration of job vs Labor hours required

When planning and scheduling, we need to have estimated hours to be able to schedule efficiently. Without estimated hours it makes it close to impossible to know your resource consumption. To take your scheduling efforts to the next level you need to understand the difference between Duration of job vs. labor hours required to perform the tasks. Labor hours are the time it takes to do the actual work. From when you first start your repair or inspection task. It is the time when value added work is accomplished. It is the time it takes you to replace that failed …Read more »

Tags: Maintenance, Operations, Planning and Scheduling

ReliabilityX Blog

03 / 30 / 2023

Self-Ownership Part 5

This mindset I have and bring to my client’s struggling businesses did not get built overnight. It took years of conscious concentration to develop the discipline that says basically, if something goes wrong, it was probably my fault. Either I didn’t plan or predict a problem, or I didn’t solve the problem before it happened a second time; but now the burden is on me to solve it. Luckily I have a few tips on how to develop a self-ownership mindset. First is to change your inner dialog, how you speak to yourself. If you wake up every day and …Read more »

Tags: Continuous Improvement, Leadership, Maintenance, Operations, People Efficiency

ReliabilityX Blog

03 / 15 / 2023

Self Ownership Part 4

The focus on attention to detail is one of the most critical portions of self-ownership. Everyone can walk by trash, but when the leader does it, it’s sending a message. The focus on attention to detail, especially in contracts, is best illustrated by the famous rock group, Van Halen. Rock stars are able to put seemingly insane requests into what they need from the venues they perform at, and Van Halen was no different. After all, they’re the reason venues can charge hundreds of dollars per seat, they can choose to be picky. They had a giant contract for whenever …Read more »

Tags: Efficiency, Leadership, Learning Management, Maintenance, Operations, Performance Management

ReliabilityX Blog

03 / 7 / 2023

Self Ownership Part 3

Think back to the restaurant mess we talked about a few pages back, who was responsible? The lesson for grown-ups (and more importantly executives and business leaders) from The Boy Who Cried Wolf is that the boy was at fault when he lied the first time, but the person who was really responsible for the sheep being lost was the shepherd who left his flock with a boy who he knew couldn’t be trusted. After the first false claim of a wolf, the boy should have been told the consequences of lying about a wolf. After the second false claim, …Read more »

Tags: Leadership, Learning Management, Maintenance, Operations, People Efficiency

ReliabilityX Blog

02 / 28 / 2023

Self Ownership Part 2

A good mental framework to have is that instead of you pushing towards accomplishing goals, you think about what things you have to “pull” to get to the end game. The subtle shift in the thinking will position you to find more creative solutions to problems. A very frequent problem with management who doesn’t really know how to solve problems is saying things like “work harder”. If we just turn up the Hard Work Dial to 11, then the problems will go away, obviously. Instead if we looked at what is stopping the success and actively worked on removing those …Read more »

Tags: Leadership, Maintenance, Operations

ReliabilityX Blog

02 / 13 / 2023

Self Ownership Part 1

Here’s a common situation that most of us have experienced in our careers or education: You’re working on a project with a tight deadline, the task is do-able, but difficult. Everyone has their specific tasks assigned, and the whole team is working together on a final document to turn in. Your section is the financial analysis portion of the project. The sections all reference each other, none of them can stand alone and have a chance at making sense together. Three of your four teammates are working on final editing of the document the night before it’s due, when the …Read more »

Tags: Leadership, Learning Management, Maintenance, Operations, Performance Management, Predictive Maintenance

ReliabilityX Blog

02 / 6 / 2023

Self-Discipline Part 3

We’ve spoken enough about the psychology of self-discipline, let’s get into actionable steps, things that are easy to remember and implement on a day to day basis. If writing some of these down on a post-it note help remind you, do it. Let’s talk about developing determination - we have six steps that can help improve how determined you are, and how to avoid losing willpower. Give everything 100%. This doesn’t mean that you’re going to change your diet from garbage to perfectly clean overnight, but you won’t give 25% effort and expect 100% results. Avoid distractions that derail from …Read more »

Tags: Continuous Improvement, Leadership, Learning Management, Maintenance, Operations

ReliabilityX Blog

02 / 1 / 2023

Self-Discipline Part 2

Self-discipline can be broken into two portions: the will to get the actions turned into habits, and the ability to create incentives to keep the habits going, long after passion fades away. The first thing we need to do is set some clear goals, which you can take from the personal development plan we created earlier. Next we’re going to look at the time audit we did where we broke everything into ten minute sections. We’re going to act like project managers for our days, and we’re going to micro-manage our time (to start) to make sure that our time …Read more »

Tags: Competency Management, Leadership, Learning Management, Maintenance, Operations

ReliabilityX Blog

01 / 23 / 2023

Self-Discipline Part 1

In our previous chapters, we talked about how the topics of the three previous chapters work together. In our analogy, we’re sailing a sailboat to the North Pole. This is done by using self-awareness as an understanding of where your starting point on the journey is, with a focus on radical honesty, as lying to yourself is as useless as not even starting to reflect. Next we have self-accountability, which means that no matter where you start, it’s important to understand you were the one who got you there. You are the sum of all of the life choices you …Read more »

Tags: discipline, Learning Management, Maintenance, Operations, Performance Management

ReliabilityX Blog

01 / 16 / 2023

Self-Leadership-Part 3

We now know how to audit our time, to assess our self-leadership, but we can help even further explain how to become more effective and efficient leaders of ourselves. The first thing we need to do is be empowered to make our own strategy. This comes with a few requirements. First is the confidence to know that the rules are changing, which means the limits that we had on our previous strategies: real or fake, internal or external, all of them have to be re-assessed with fresh eyes. Like everything in life, it’s easier to ask for forgiveness than it …Read more »

Tags: Continuous Improvement, Leadership, Learning Management, Maintenance, Operations

ReliabilityX Blog

01 / 9 / 2023

Self-Leadership-Part 2

Self-leadership is the constant step of focusing on forward motion, and taking out your compass to make sure you’re always still heading north. Constant action in the wrong direction can be just as harmful as standing still, sometimes worse. This is a constant three step process. As your journey keeps moving forward, you need to keep checking your sails to make sure the wind is moving you in any direction: this is self-leadership. Next, you need to make sure you’re constantly checking the compass for due north: this is self-awareness. Finally, having the courage to look at your compass and …Read more »

Tags: Continuous Improvement, Leadership, Learning Management, Maintenance

ReliabilityX Blog

01 / 4 / 2023

Self-Leadership-Part 1

Let’s do a quick recap of where we’ve come from. First we had to figure out where you are on your journey to success, in a totally honest way, which we covered in the chapter of Self-Awareness. Next we had learned how to hold ourselves accountable for what got us to where we are today. We discussed how to create a personal development plan to map out our different responsibilities in life, what those mean in specific, day-to-day terms, and how to monitor and measure our success on aiming for and achieving those goals. We’re able to quantify success in …Read more »

Tags: Leadership, Learning Management, Maintenance, Operations

ReliabilityX Blog

02 / 14 / 2022

Certification and Competencies

Competency is defined as the capability to apply or use the set of related knowledge, skills, and abilities required to successfully perform a task or work safely and consistently to a required standard. Simply stated, Competency is a critical skill set needed to do a job successfully. On the other hand, Certifications are designated credentials earned by an individual or organization to verify their legitimacy and competence to perform a job or produce something in a stated environment. Certification is typically displayed as a document stating that you have acquired appropriate knowledge, been trained, and are prepared to meet a …Read more »

Tags: CAMA, CMM, CMRT, CRL, Efficiency, Maintenance, MLT, Operations