Emerald | Journal of Quality in Maintenance Engineering | Table of Contents

Performance indicators and terminology for value driven maintenance

Fri, 09 Aug 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose - Value driven maintenance (VDM) is a fairly new maintenance management methodology based on four maintenance value drivers and the formula of net present value (NPV) to calculate the value of different maintenance strategies. However, the dependability of the engineering assets needs to be assessed in order to make an estimation of the NPV. Therefore, standardised indicators have been critically analysed to find the most essential indicators for the four value drivers and for estimation of the NPV. Terminology containing performance drivers and killers are common in the field of asset management, but not many publications can be found for their detailed descriptions. One section in this paper is therefore dedicated to review these terms. A comprehensive description and classification of performance killers and drivers, and of indicators for VDM are presented in this paper.Design/methodology/approach - Review of literature for technical terminology and review of standards for identification of indicators for maintenance performance measurement and NPV of maintenance.Findings - Common description of technical terminology as used by researchers and identification of the most important indicators for maintenance performance measurement and the NPV of maintenance. Indicators classified under economic, technical, organizational and HSE perspectives from EN 15341 standards are discussed and identified.Originality/value - Description of emerging terminology in maintenance performance measurement adds to the consistency in communication of researchers and business stakeholders. Also, the identified maintenance performance indicators can facilitate performance measurement of organisations new to the process of measuring and analysing their performance.

Maintenance Performance Metrics: a State-of-the-Art Review

Fri, 09 Aug 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose - This paper provides an overview of research and development in the measurement of maintenance performance. It considers the problems of various measuring parameters and comments on the lack of structure in and references for the measurement of maintenance performance. The main focus is to determine how value can be created for organizations by measuring maintenance performance, examining such maintenance strategies as condition-based maintenance, reliability-centred maintenance, e-maintenance, etc. In other words, the objectives are to find frameworks or models that can be used to evaluate different maintenance strategies and determine the value of these frameworks for an organization.Design/methodology/approach - A state-of-the-art literature review has been carried out to answer the following two research questions. Firstly, what approaches and techniques are used for maintenance performance measurement (MPM) and which MPM techniques are optimal for evaluating maintenance strategies? Secondly, in general, how can MPM create value for organizations and, more specifically, which system of measurement is best for which maintenance strategy?Findings - The body of knowledge on maintenance performance is both quantitatively and qualitatively based. Quantitative approaches include economic and technical ratios, value-based and balanced scorecards, system audits, composite formulations, and statistical and partial maintenance productivity indices. Qualitative approaches include human factors, amongst other aspects. Qualitatively based approaches are adopted because of the inherent limitations of effectively measuring a complex function such as maintenance through quantitative models. Maintenance decision makers often come to the best conclusion using heuristics, backed up by qualitative assessment, supported by quantitative measures. Both maintenance performance perspectives are included in this overview.Originality/value - A comprehensive review of maintenance performance metrics is offered, aiming to give, in a condensed form, an extensive introduction to MPM and a presentation of the state of the art in this field.

Intelligent Performance Measures for Condition-based Maintenance

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Esko K. Juuso, Sulo Lahdelma) — Fri, 09 Aug 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose - The main purpose of the research is to develop a comprehensive approach to efficiently integrate maintenance and operation by combining process and condition monitoring data with performance measures.Design/methodology/approach - Intelligent stress, condition and health indicators have been developed for control and condition monitoring by combining generalised moments and norms with efficient nonlinear scaling. The data analysis resulting nonlinear scaling functions can also be used to handle performance measures used for management. The generalised norms provide limits for an advanced statistical process control.Findings - The data-driven analysis methodology demonstrates that management oriented indicators can be presented in the same scale as intelligent condition and stress indices. Control, condition monitoring, maintenance and performance monitoring are represented as interactive feedback loops.Research limitations/implications - Performance analysis can be based on real-time information by using various stress, condition and health indices as inputs. Similar approaches can be used for outputs: quality indices, harmonised indices, key performance indicators, process capability indices and overall equipment effectiveness. Since consistent linguistic explanations based on nonlinear scaling are available for all these indices, the analysis can be further deepened with LE modelling. Efficient monitoring with intelligent indices provides a good basis for control and condition-based maintenance and performance monitoring.Practical implications - The approach provides a practical solution for analysing and visualising various types of data in different levels of operation and maintenance management. It can be a feasible link between the engineering and the asset management.Originality/value - The paper extends the nonlinear scaling methodology and linguistic equations to intelligent performance measures. The methodology provides a consistent way to also represent all information with linguistic terms.

A maintenance maturity assessment method for the manufacturing industry

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Marco Macchi, Luca Fumagalli) — Fri, 09 Aug 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose - The paper proposes a maturity assessment method to measure the state of maintenance practices in a company.Design/methodology/approach - The method assumes that a maintenance department is evaluated in terms of its managerial, organizational and technological capabilities. By its adoption it is possible to analyse the maturity level reached by a company, in order to classify the criticalities in its maintenance processes; a company can also make a benchmark with the best companies of a reference sample.Findings - The paper presents the method as a support to identify the levers to improve the maintenance management system. The method is demonstrated on a company whose maturity is assessed before making a benchmark against a sample of other manufacturing companies located in the Northern Italy. Originality/value - The paper presents a scoring method for maturity assessment and a procedure to use it in order to identify the criticalities in maintenance processes and to subsequently drive the improvement of the maintenance management system. The paper should be useful both to researchers and maintenance professionals interested in using new methods for long-term planning in maintenance.

Risk-based dependability approach to maintenance performance measurement

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Peter Söderholm, Per Norrbin) — Fri, 09 Aug 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to describe how a risk-based dependability approach can be used to link maintenance performance measurement and management to overall objectives within an organization. Design/methodology/approach - The applied study approach is a case study at Trafikverket (the Swedish Transport Administration). Qualitative data was collected through interviews, workshops and document studies, while quantitative data was collected through data bases. As a framework for analysis, international standards within the risk and dependability areas were applied. Finally, the conclusions of the study were verified by key informants. Findings - Through the proposed risk-based dependability approach, critical availability goals are communicated with and involve top management. The approach also contributes to enhanced data and information quality by pinpointing critical data and information for dependability management activities. The proposed availability indicator can be used to monitor the effect of dependability management activities aimed at different indenture levels of the infrastructure and related to the responsibility of different hierarchical levels of the organization, e.g. different maintenance echelons.Practical implications - The proposed approach strengthens the internal control of an organization by supporting the achievement of: objectives that are aligned with and support the mission; operations with an effective and efficient use of resources; reliable operational and financial reporting; compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Originality/value - By integrating risk management in the work with availability goals included in the balanced scorecard, a more holistic and risk-based dependability management practice is achieved.

Modelling costs in Maintenance Networks

Fri, 09 Aug 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose - The purpose of the study is to create a cost model at the general equipment level for industrial maintenance services.Design/methodology/approach - The study is divided into two main sections. In the first phase the idea is to create a framework for a cost model with a literature review. The second, empirical part of the study is based on costing information from interviews and information given by network companies: a pulp mill, a maintenance company and an equipment provider. The maintenance of three different equipment processes are examined in the network through a case study to get more specific information from real world situations to develop the model.Findings - Our findings concern the cost items that should be considered in the model, the structure of the model, and how the general cost model is constructed. During the research the model has been extended, and new cost categories included.Practical implications - The cost model can be used in various performance measurement and decision-making situations, like maintenance service pricing, contract negotiations, outsourcing decisions, and life cycle cost management. Originality/value - The cost model differs from traditional cost models. Earlier models have focused on the perspective of either the service provider or the customer, but not on both perspectives at the same time. However, in order to achieve a win-win situation in a business network, open books practice is expected from each member of the network.