Robin’s Realizations - Maturity Matrix - Process/Procedure

Why You Need to Implement a Condition-Based Monitoring Process

Last week, we talked about the importance of investing in tools and technology, but equally as important would be the process that you use in your facility. There are a lot of facilities that don’t really have much of a process but instead approach with the old-fashioned way – they either go with the flow and make educated guesses or wait for the problems to occur before they react. This is not efficient and will only create headaches. If you want to hold your facility up to a high standard of quality that will lead to long-term success, I recommend taking the time to implement a condition-based monitoring (CBM) procedure throughout your facility, and that starts at the top of the hierarchy.

There are 5 different tiers of procedures and processes involved when it comes to CBM. In fact, in our very own Maturity Matrix chart (see below), we matched many of the suggested metrics to the SMRP’s Best Practices metrics. For example, a facility in the Level I tier would have no formal CBM process established. However, in the top tier, World Class, a facility would have a CBM program in place with routes, data collection, documentation and analysis, reporting and follow-up, and tracking downtime cost avoidance. This process should also be shared at the corporate level to ensure all knowledge is distributed and practices are made standard throughout the facility. With 3 tiers in between the lowest and highest tier, most facilities will fall in the middle, but we should all be striving to be in the World Class tier.