Maintenance Management Flashcards

What is a CMMS and what is its primary purpose?

Answer: A Computerized Maintenance Management System for organizing, planning, and tracking maintenance activities

A CMMS is software that helps maintenance departments manage work orders, schedule preventive maintenance, track assets, manage inventory, and analyze maintenance data.

What is the difference between planned and unplanned maintenance?

Answer: Planned maintenance is scheduled in advance; unplanned maintenance responds to unexpected breakdowns

Planned maintenance allows for preparation (parts, tools, labor scheduling), while unplanned maintenance reacts to failures, typically costing 3-5 times more due to urgency and downtime.

What is a maintenance backlog?

Answer: The accumulation of approved maintenance work that has not yet been completed

The maintenance backlog represents all known work that needs to be done but has not been completed. Managing backlog is critical for ensuring equipment reliability.

What Key Performance Indicator (KPI) measures the percentage of time equipment is available for use?

Answer: Availability rate — calculated as (available time / total time) × 100%

Equipment availability measures the proportion of time that equipment is in a condition to perform its intended function, excluding downtime for maintenance and repairs.

What is the purpose of a maintenance work order?

Answer: To authorize, document, and track specific maintenance tasks including labor, materials, and completion

Work orders formally authorize maintenance work and serve as the primary document for tracking what was done, who did it, what parts were used, and how long it took.

What is Total Productive Maintenance (TPM)?

Answer: A holistic maintenance philosophy involving all employees to maximize equipment effectiveness and eliminate waste

TPM engages all employees, from operators to management, in proactive and preventive maintenance to achieve zero breakdowns, zero defects, and zero accidents.