$10\mathrm{.}3$ MAINTENANCE PLANNING

Background

The managerial function of planning is mostly concerned with the selection of a vision, mission and objectives, and the actions to achieve these objectives. These actions involve much decision making, especially in choosing among a number of options. At the highest level, planning is required to bridge the gap between the vision of the business enterprise and the current situation.

Maintenance planning is therefore concerned with establishing feasible objectives for the maintenance department. These objectives must be in harmony with the production objectives and the overall objectives of the manufacturing enterprise. It is crucial to define the objectives for the maintenance system in terms of performance parameters, which are fully or at least partially under the control of the maintenance department. Maintenance planning also involves the development of a suitable maintenance strategy, which defines the actions that are required to achieve the selected maintenance objectives. The formulation of a maintenance strategy involves aspects such as the selection of a maintenance procedure $($corrective$,$ preventive, design$-$out, etc$)$ and schedule for each maintenance$-$significant item $($MSI of the total technical system.

As in other managerial functions of the enterprise, maintenance planning can also be divided into long$-$term planning and short$-$term planning. Long$-$term maintenance planning $($between two and five years ahead$)$ is dependent on long$-$term sales forecasts and long$-$term production forecasts or requirements. Maintenance planners, working with other managers in the company, plan the actions and schedules that are required to achieve certain objectives in the future.

Short$-$term maintenance planning is more concerned with the annual objectives and actions of the maintenance department. It involves the effective application of the maintenance resources to cope with the average maintenance workload. It also involves detailed work planning and scheduling of all maintenance work, especially major maintenance events such as large overhauls and turnarounds $($shutdowns$).$