by Drew MacRae, Training & Reliability Solutions Manager
The biggest issue I have found in my role as a reliability consultant, is that many facilities want a successful reliability program, but many don’t know how to implement one or where to start. To get a lubrication and reliability program built on solid ground, we think it’s important to follow a reliability roadmap – a multi-step process that allows you to develop a clear plan for program development and improvement.
Stop 1: Benchmarking
The first stop along the road is benchmarking. For a reliability program to be successful it’s essential to have a strong foundational knowledge of how well your equipment and processes are working. Understanding where there are gaps in your processes and procedures is an important first step toward creating a plan for improvement. Conducting a thorough inspection of your oil and greasing programs, equipment, and operating conditions helps to identify what the most common problems are and where they occur. Comparing your performance against industry peers, helps pinpoint which problems are found industry-wide and which are specific to your operation.
Stop 2: Optimization & Improvement
Once your overall lubrication processes have been assessed, the next step is to optimize and improve your reliability program by defining and mapping out the necessary steps to prioritize, execute and manage all aspects of lubrication and oil analysis needed for your organization.
Stop 3: advanced analysis
The third stop on the road is the implementation of advanced metrics and a more proactive maintenance strategy, all the while continuously investing in training and developing the skills of your staff. As reliability programs mature, the areas where skilled maintenance technicians can add value to your operations need to be carefully considered. For example, are they best utilized performing manual relubrication, which can easily be automated, or by using their skills and knowledge to perform more analytical tasks, such as lubricant analysis, preforming failure investigations, or conducting Reliability Centered Maintenance.
A reliability roadmap allows you to set the path to unlock the full potential of your oil analysis and reliability program and proactively protect your equipment. While the road can be long and bumpy with a few turns here and there, having a map that guides your path to sustainable reliability can ensure success well into the future.
Fluid Life can work with you to set up your reliability roadmap. Contact us today!