Contemporary maintenance management: process, framework and supporting pillars

This paper presents a holistic framework for managing the maintenance function heretofore inundated by myriad tools, trappings, practices, and prescriptions. It begins by reviewing the concepts, state-of-art processes and standards available to help maintain today's complex systems. It then proposes a framework in which to couch the various maintenance functions in an organization. In doing so, this paper characterizes factors that breed complexity in maintaining today's operations. Next, it closely analyzes the strategic, tactical and operational aspects of maintenance and sets up a structure to help complete the tasks at each of these levels. The term ‘process’ in this paper implies actions directly associated with maintenance, while ‘framework’ embodies the supporting infrastructure. The results are clear statements of (1) the functionality required of enablers such as IT to abet maintenance; (2) the distinctive capabilities extended by modern maintenance engineering; and (3) the critical requirement of relationship competencies in maintenance. This work sums up decades spent in maintenance shops, engineering, standardization, and research in maintenance management.