Articles
Stop project blowouts before they start: Harness the power of audits
Major business improvement projects in asset-intensive industries are rarely straightforward. They’re complex, highly visible, high-stakes undertakings with tight schedules and safety-critical outcomes. A single oversight in planning or...
Use military precision for your next maintenance shutdown: SMEAC and SITREPs in action
Maintenance shutdown crews often describe entering a planned shutdown as “heading into battle.” They’re high-consequence events where the stakes are huge — safety, production, and millions of dollars are on the line. That pressure is...
Use tool time observations to amplify problem solving
Tool time observations, also called time and motion studies, is a powerful strategy to identify the root cause of a problem rather than simply addressing its symptoms. Tool time studies provide an innovative and creative way to examine a...
How maintenance managers get buy-in from senior leaders
Getting senior leaders on board when setting a new direction, or launching a new initiative, is one of the most important factors to consider when planning your maintenance program. However, many teams struggle to secure the right level...
Upskill your shutdown leaders for short- and long-term gains
Successful shutdowns start and end with experienced and effective shutdown leaders. Without strong leadership, particularly during execution, these complex and business-critical events frequently suffer from poor planning, scheduling...
Digitising maintenance shutdown management – the good, the bad, and the ugly
It seems like everyone is searching for ways to reduce their reliance on hard-to-find maintenance experts and use technology to reinvent their asset management programs. Like all-things maintenance, selecting solutions to optimise...
Fast-track your Future of Maintenance and digitisation journey
The ‘Future of Maintenance’, or Maintenance 4.0 as it’s sometimes called, is gaining momentum. It’s a concept that’s getting harder and harder to ignore. At its heart, the Future of Maintenance is about improving equipment performance...
Time and motion study – benefits beyond the numbers
How time is used is foundational to understanding and solving many workplace problems. When measuring time use by people, the resources industry often calls this ‘wrench time’ or ‘tool time’. It’s a common focus for improvement. Having...
Maintenance shutdown planning and performance – seven strategies for strong systems
Maintenance shutdown planning, and the resulting shutdowns, in many respects, prove the rigour of a business’ management systems. While offline maintenance activities are generally planned, scheduled and executed as per business-as-usual...