An introduction to reliability-centred maintenance (RCM)

Reliability-centred Maintenance (RCM) is a process that is proven as an approach to ensure that equipment achieves its inherent reliability. Without RCM, reliability is often reduced due to the way in which equipment is used and maintained. RCM recognises that identical assets have different maintenance requirements in different operating contexts. This is contrary to the approach adopted by many organisations who adopt generic maintenance schedules. Barriers to its successful application are the time taken to introduce the approach and 'mindsets' on the part of those individuals who are responsible for equipment maintenance and use.