This chapter considers those factors that are relevant when determining a specific maintenance strategy and method, or combination of methods, taking into account business objectives and the expected use and life of facility assets.
The organization has to understand which method, or which combination of methods, is likely to satisfy needs. A business-focused or risk-based model for maintenance is preferable to one that is guided by general advice and rules of thumb.
The following points, among many others, are covered in the chapter.
- Facility management has a long-standing association with building maintenance management, including building services engineering, for the simple reason that in many countries the discipline emerged from such a background.
- Once a new or refurbished facility has been delivered, it has to be protected and maintained as it will be expected to support the functions for which it was designed well into the future.
- A maintenance strategy must be developed to ensure that there is a clear statement of the approach to be taken to maintenance for the facility and its constituent assets.
- A process approach to maintenance management should be adopted at the strategic and tactical (i.e. policy) levels, with links to operational activities.
- There has to be alignment between the business objectives, facility management strategy and maintenance strategy.
- A business-focused or risk-based model for maintenance management should be adopted, wherever possible.
Reliability-centred maintenance (RCM) should be considered to identify appropriate maintenance tasks based on cost and risk assessment, thereby supporting risk-based decision making. - There are two broad categories of maintenance: preventive and corrective; individual maintenance methods are categorized under these categories.
- Regular scheduled maintenance should be regarded as a value-adding activity and not as simply a cost; a whole-life perspective should be adopted so that decision making is adequately informed.