About this time every year, we start thinking about everything we’re going to do to make the upcoming new year healthier, happier and more prosperous than the one we’re wrapping up. At IVC we aren’t in the business of bestowing words of wisdom on the best fitness and nutrition programs to build a healthier you. However, we are in the business of sharing our knowledge on what you need for a strong condition-based monitoring (CBM) program for “healthier” machines and equipment…resulting in a happier, more prosperous you.
To kick-start your year, our key leaders share the top must-haves for a strong CBM program:
- Commitment: a strong CBM program requires a commitment not only from the top-down, but just as importantly, from the bottom-up.
- Be forward-thinking: budgeting for a successful program (including personnel, equipment/upgrades and training) requires forward-thinking in terms of years, versus what will it cost today. You want to ensure adequate funding for both now and in the future.
- Personnel selection should be based on individuals who have a desire to learn advanced technologies and who want to drive improvement in their respective maintenance organizations. Consider putting a qualification-based process in place for selecting the individuals who will perform CBM tasks.
- Keep the sword sharp – refresher training and workshops are essential components for keeping the right people on the right track. Just because personnel has a desire to learn and attended training 15 years ago, that doesn’t mean they’re aware of new technologies or have retained the fundamentals needed to advance to the next level.
- Having a clear understanding of the CBM equipment that is available on the market today is vital. Take the time to evaluate and question the capabilities of each CBM tool you’re looking to purchase. Consider identifying an internal champion who has sufficient knowledge to oversee the program.
- Understand which CBM technology to apply to best identify the possible failure modes for any given asset.
- Realistic expectations: there is no “easy” button. Vetting each technology tool and its limitations will save you thousands of dollars in the long run.
- Communication at all levels is key to ensuring that problems, as well as successes, get communicated, reports are effectively distributed, and ongoing efforts get publicized so all members of the team are on the same page.
- Measurements: Continuous measurements and KPIs are crucial to tracking your program’s effectiveness.
- Audit your program! Whether you are using internal KPIs to track effectiveness or need the eyes of a qualified third party to come in and evaluate your program, you must have a monitoring method to see if your program is going in the right direction.
Even the best programs in the world have room for improvement. At IVC, we have some of the top minds in the CBM industry, along with the most advanced, cutting-edge technology available. Whether you’re setting up a new CBM program or tuning up an existing one – our experts can help you to be sure it is sound and efficient.