Integrated Production and Maintenance Planning for Successful Asset Management Strategy Implementation

Abstract

The balance between maintenance and production activities plays a pivotal role for any asset in an organisation. Maintenance activities can require that the asset must be unavailable for production during maintenance and hence reduce the production volume. However, if the asset is not maintained the technical condition will degrade and can result in unexpected breakdowns and reduced plant capacity. An important question will then be: How can an organisation ensure the right balance of maintenance during the lifetime of the asset? To approach this question, a fundamental understanding in asset management and strategic approach in an organisation is indeed necessary. The standard EN16646 gives further detail of the interrelationship between maintenance and other processes at asset and asset system level. Although a list is provided, it remains to investigate how the relationship between operation and maintenance processes can contribute to an asset management strategy. The objective of this article is therefore to propose an approach in asset management strategy that will ensure a right balance between plant capacity and maintenance activities during the life cycle of an asset.