Asset Productivity Articles
Our expert staff is well known throughout the industry for its breadth of knowledge gained through years of practical experience. The following articles, written by members of our staff, have been published in industry journals and Web sites.
Is Asset Hierarchy Validation and Optimization a Waste of Time and Money?
By Paul Langan, Life Cycle Engineering
Throughout industry we constantly hear statements like these: “I do not have time to accomplish what needs to be done.” “I can barely keep the plant running and you want me to validate the system hierarchy?” “Who is going to maintain the equipment while I do this?”“I just do not see the benefit of hierarchy validation—it’s a waste of time and money.”Is the 21st Century MRO Storeroom a Potential Goldmine?
By Wally Wilson, CMRP, CPIM, Life Cycle Engineering
For organizations trying to stay competitive in today’s global market, treating the MRO storeroom as a business unit can yield a gold mine of cost savings opportunities. It’s time for our MRO operations to acknowledge that we’re not in the 20th century any more.Be The Change
By R. Keith Mobley, Principal SME, Life Cycle Engineering
As appeared in Reflections on ExcellenceSome things never seem to change. As part of a recent benchmarking assessment of a large manufacturing operation, we asked the management team what, if anything, should be changed to make the organization more effective and efficient. Without exception, each of them enumerated a long list of things that absolutely required change.
Should You Consider Using MRO Vending Machines?
By Doug Wallace, CPIM, Life Cycle Engineering
As I was cleaning out my shed last weekend, I looked around and thought to myself, “Where did all this stuff come from, and how much did it cost me?” The answer to the first part of that question is easy; I bought most of it from my local Ace Hardware Store, Lowe’s or Home Depot. The answer to the second part of the question is a lot harder. Frankly I have no idea how much I spent on all of it, but a reasonable estimate would be “lots.”Asset Management? Or, Maintenance Management, Re-branded?
By Ron Moore, The Ron Moore Group
As appeared in IMPACTThe development of PAS55, a British Standard for supporting Asset Management, and its influence on various maintenance organizations, has been a very positive development. It’s a good document, one which has been slowly evolving into ISO 55000, scheduled for issue in November 2013.
If You Want to Know, Go to the Source
By R. Keith Mobley, Principal SME, Life Cycle Engineering
Beginning with the introduction of so-called Japanese management philosophies, especially the Toyota Production System (later called Lean), there is a growing focus on Gemba walks. Almost without exception, Lean consultants coach plant leadership to go to Gemba, meaning to periodically spend time on the factory floor. Recently, change management consultants have joined the parade of go–to-Gemba advocates. As a result, more and more organizations have formal, scheduled Gemba walks where leaders, from the CEO through the frontline supervisors, regularly spend time on the floor. Sounds like a great idea, right?Are your maintenance meetings a source of waste?
From the Lean Maintenance Course
As appeared in IMPACTFor maintenance departments waste comes in many forms: underutilized equipment, system failures, downtime, excess inventory, not having the right parts available. Another form of waste that is not always recognized is meetings.
Knowledge Is Not Enough, It Must Be Applied
By R. Keith Mobley, Principal SME, Life Cycle Engineering
When it comes to data in the business world, there seem to be two extremes. Some organizations are data poor and others have so much data that it becomes impossible to use. Both extremes invariably fail to recognize the critical importance of the knowledge gleaned from timely, accurate data. Once converted into knowledge, it supports actions that drive business strategy, day-to-day activities and continuous improvement.Are Your Losses Putting Your Company at Risk?
By R. Keith Mobley, CMRP Principal SME, Life Cycle Engineering
As published in Maintenance Technology
Value steam mapping is a visual means to depict and improve the flow of manufacturing and production process, as well as the information that controls the flow of materials through the process. It is the preferred methodology for identifying the inherent waste and losses within an operation.Failure is Acceptable, Failing to Try is Not
By R. Keith Mobley, Principal SME, Life Cycle Engineering
As appeared in Reflections on ExcellenceHave you ever met someone who has never failed? In my 70 years on this earth, I have failed countless times, but each failure was a learning experience and a stair step to the next success. My parents never chastised me for failure, nor did they praise me for it. Instead, they instilled the mental discipline to accept failure as a fact, a minor setback, and the use it as a growth experience.
Equipment History – Show Me the Facts
By Tim Kister, CMRP, Life Cycle Engineering
As appeared in RxTodayThere is a television commercial where an individual is negotiating to purchase a used car. The scene expands to show an animated fox prompting the buyer to ask the seller for the CARFAX®. The seller then usually changes his selling approach and price. What is so powerful about this commercial? It focuses on the history of the car.
How can equipment BOMs make Maintenance more efficient?
By Scott Hoff, Life Cycle Engineering
As appeared in RxTodayMost CMMS systems have the ability to create Bills of Materials (BOMs) for equipment or assets. Equipment BOMs include the components needed for a piece of equipment. All types of asset-intensive industries, from oil drilling and automotive manufacturing to food and pharmaceutical manufacturing, can benefit from equipment or asset BOMs.
Do You Play It Safe or Take Risks?
By R. Keith Mobley, Principal SME, Life Cycle Engineering
As appeared in Reflections on ExcellenceIn the not too distant past, I had the opportunity to help with two clients that face similar problems. Both are losing market share because costs of goods sold are too high and ineffective use of installed capacity. Even when presented with vetted data and incontrovertible facts, neither will accept any responsibility for these shortcomings.
Best Practices for Using Value Stream Mapping as a Continuous Improvement Tool
By R. Keith Mobley, CMRP Principal SME, Life Cycle Engineering
As appeared in RxToday
Value steam mapping is a visual means to depict and improve the flow of manufacturing and production process, as well as the information that controls the flow of materials through the process. It is the preferred methodology for identifying the inherent waste and losses within an operation.Be Slow to Punish but Swift to Reward
By R. Keith Mobley, Principal SME, Life Cycle Engineering
As appeared in Reflections on ExcellenceYears ago, in our Reliability Excellence for Managers course, we often used a video starring Dennis Franz (NYPD Blue) called Sid’s Story. In the video, Sid was the production supervisor of a dysfunctional machining operation and exhibited the stereotypical traits of an “I talk, you listen” leadership style.
Is Your MRO Storeroom Poorly Run?
By Wally Wilson, CMRP, CPIM, Life Cycle Engineering
The first indication that an MRO storeroom isn’t run well is the response you get from the maintenance technicians when you ask their opinion of how the storeroom is performing. The comments are usually “we can’t depend on our storeroom for the right parts” or “they never have the parts I need to make the needed repairs.” These comments reflect a storeroom that is in trouble and costing the business money in excessive production downtime, low equipment reliability and low utilization of technical resources.Without Vision, People Perish
By R. Keith Mobley, Principal SME, Life Cycle Engineering
As appeared in the February 2013 Edition of Reflections on ExcellenceI teach a Reliability Excellence for Managers course as part of the Life Cycle Institute’s business education series. The course is four, three-day sessions of classroom study interspersed with assignments conducted in participants’ organizations over a calendar year.
Excellence is a habit, not an act
By R. Keith Mobley, Principal SME, Life Cycle Engineering
As appeared in Reflections on ExcellenceToo often one hears that changing habits, whether personal or cultural, is straightforward and can be accomplished quickly. All one must do is repeat the new action or behavior seven or eight times and it will become a habit—the new norm.
How Much Time Do You Spend on the Floor?
By Kimo Oberloh, Life Cycle Engineering
I frequently ask this question to managers: “How much time do you spend on the floor?” I get responses that run the gamut from “I don’t need to go to the floor” to “I’m on the floor all the time."
What elements contribute to a thoroughly planned work package?
By Tim Kister, CMRP, Life Cycle Engineering
There are basically five areas that if addressed properly would result in a well-planned work order
