Planning ahead can often help reduce or even prevent problems and the associated costs. This is especially true when it comes to maintenance. That is why Planned Maintenance is a must for organizations looking to optimize efficiency and minimize downtime. EZ-GO is the ultimate platform to help the entire organization take full advantage of the benefits of Planned Maintenance. But before we explore how, let’s take a closer look at how Planned Maintenance works and how it differs from Unplanned Maintenance and Scheduled Maintenance.
What is Planned Maintenance?
The name says it all: Planned Maintenance is all about maintenance that is scheduled and structured in advance. This type of maintenance is implemented to monitor and optimize the reliability and performance of machines and equipment continuously. By adopting a Planned Maintenance system, organizations work towards the goal of reducing unexpected failures and increasing process efficiency. In doing so, Planned Maintenance helps minimize major repair and replacement costs, reduce machine downtime, and extend the lifespan of equipment. However, maintenance is not always easy to plan. That is why we distinguish between two types of Planned Maintenance, which we will explore below.
Preventive Maintenance
Preventive Maintenance is a proactive approach designed to ensure that machines and equipment receive maintenance before issues arise. This helps prevent failures, minimize wear and tear, and extend the lifespan of equipment. Preventive Maintenance follows a fixed schedule, which includes regular inspections of machines and components, as well as timely replacement of critical parts necessary for proper machine operation. However, this type of maintenance is only effective if you can accurately predict when specific maintenance tasks will be needed.
Planned Unscheduled Maintenance
Planned Unscheduled Maintenance, on the other hand, is maintenance that may arise unexpectedly, such as when a machine breaks down and immediate action is required. However, unlike completely reactive maintenance, Planned Unscheduled Maintenance ensures that all necessary resources for repairs are already in place. Even though the exact timing of the required maintenance is unpredictable, this strategy keeps the organization prepared to respond quickly and effectively. As a result, Planned Unscheduled Maintenance plays a crucial role in any Planned Maintenance system, helping to prevent unnecessary and prolonged machine downtime.
Examples of Planned Maintenance
In a factory environment, Planned Maintenance is performed more often than you might realize. It encompasses both small and large maintenance and replacement tasks. Some key examples include:
- Periodic inspections – Checking critical components such as motors, conveyor belts, and hydraulic systems plays a major role in detecting wear or defects early.
- Lubrication and oiling of machines – You likely understand how essential regular lubrication of bearings and gears is to reduce friction and minimize wear.
- Filter replacement – Timely replacement of air, oil, or water filters helps prevent contamination and maintain consistent machine performance for efficient production.
- Calibration of measuring equipment – Adjusting sensors and measuring instruments ensures accurate production quality, meeting the expectations of customers, clients, and suppliers.
- Overhauling production machines – Preventively replacing worn parts such as belts, bearings, or seals before they fail. After all, prevention is better than cure!
- Testing emergency systems – Regular testing of emergency generators, fire suppression systems, and alarm systems is crucial to ensure they function properly. This contributes to a safer workplace for both the factory and its employees.
What is the goal of Planned Maintenance?
Planned Maintenance revolves around reliability, safety, and efficiency. By scheduling maintenance tasks in advance and in a structured manner, organizations can minimize unplanned downtime, reduce productivity loss, and prevent unexpected repair costs. This is why many companies implement a Planned Maintenance system as part of their operational strategy. Additionally, Planned Maintenance helps extend the lifespan of equipment while ensuring compliance with legal requirements and safety regulations. Another key objective is cost reduction: By addressing issues proactively, companies can avoid costly emergency repairs and production halts. Moreover, maintenance tasks can be carried out more efficiently, as necessary parts and resources can be planned and procured in advance, reducing delays and unnecessary expenses.
What are the benefits of Planned Maintenance?
We have already highlighted several advantages of Planned Maintenance, but here is a clear overview of the most important benefits for your organization:
✔ You always know what to expect. Scheduling maintenance in advance gives you the time to allocate the right resources and personnel to each task. This ensures that maintenance is carried out efficiently and correctly – exactly when it is needed.
✔ Significantly reduced downtime. With Planned Maintenance, you can address potential issues before they escalate, helping to minimize machine downtime and keep production running smoothly.
✔ More value for your investment. By extending the lifespan of your valuable machines and equipment, Planned Maintenance ensures you get the most out of your investments.
✔ Faster and more efficient maintenance execution. Since everyone is aware of scheduled maintenance, and all necessary materials have been pre-arranged, tasks can be completed more quickly and efficiently.
Are there any pitfalls in Planned Maintenance?
Like any system, Planned Maintenance comes with its own challenges. One of the main difficulties is finding the right moment to perform maintenance. Ideally, maintenance activities should be scheduled at a time when productivity loss is minimized. Another challenge is securing the necessary resources, whether it is materials or personnel. This can be particularly difficult when required parts or specialists are in limited supply. Additionally, cost is an important factor to consider. While the benefits of Planned Maintenance often far outweigh the costs, the initial investment still needs to be financed. Fortunately, these challenges can largely be overcome with early and thorough planning, ensuring that maintenance is executed efficiently and at the right time.
What is the difference between Planned Maintenance and Unplanned Maintenance?
The key differences between Planned Maintenance and Unplanned Maintenance lie in their timing and approach. Planned Maintenance follows a proactive strategy that focuses on preventing failures before they occur. This includes both preventive and corrective maintenance, such as inspections, scheduled repairs, and timely part replacements to ensure machines remain in optimal condition. In contrast, Unplanned Maintenance is a reactive approach, carried out only when a failure has already happened. Because these breakdowns are unexpected, they often lead to production loss, higher costs, and prolonged downtime, especially if the required parts or technical expertise are not immediately available. By prioritizing Planned Maintenance, companies can operate more efficiently and cost-effectively, while Unplanned Maintenance often results in unnecessary risks and additional expenses due to the unpredictability of urgent repairs.
What is the difference between Planned Maintenance and Scheduled Maintenance?
The level of preparation and execution differs significantly between Planned Maintenance and Scheduled Maintenance. Planned Maintenance includes all maintenance activities that are planned in advance. This means that the necessary resources, spare parts, and work instructions are already prepared before the maintenance work begins. Scheduled Maintenance, on the other hand, is a specific part of Planned Maintenance and refers to setting a precise time for carrying out the maintenance. It takes into account factors such as production schedules, staff availability, and resource allocation to ensure that maintenance is performed efficiently and with minimal disruption to operations. Simply put, Planned Maintenance determines what needs to be done and how, while Scheduled Maintenance defines when it will be done.
How to implement Planned Maintenance in your business
Implementing a Planned Maintenance system looks different for every organization. Since each company operates with unique machinery and maintenance tasks, there is no one-size-fits-all formula. However, there are several fundamental steps that can simplify the implementation process.
- Use the right software
Working with reliable maintenance software makes it easier to track schedules, inventory, and reports. The right software also provides timely alerts regarding stock levels and shortages, allowing your team to act proactively and prevent disruptions.
- Inventory and analyse
Identify and document all equipment and machinery that require maintenance. Gather key data, including breakdown history, performance metrics, and past maintenance records, to gain insights into maintenance needs and potential improvements.
- Develop maintenance plans and schedules
Clearly outline the tasks that need to be performed, along with their frequency. Assign responsibilities to specific personnel and align maintenance activities with the production schedule to avoid unnecessary downtime.
- Prepare resources and documentation
Without the right tools, maintenance cannot be carried out effectively. Ensure that all necessary equipment, spare parts, work instructions, and trained personnel are readily available before scheduled maintenance begins.
- Execute and record maintenance activities
Carry out maintenance systematically and document completed tasks. Make sure to log any irregularities or unexpected issues, as these insights can help improve future maintenance planning.
- Evaluate and optimize
Leverage your Planned Maintenance system to identify areas for improvement and take proactive steps toward greater efficiency. Regular evaluations help refine processes and maximize uptime, ensuring long-term success.
Optimize your business processes with the EZ-GO platform
EZ-GO provides a clear and efficient way to manage maintenance plans. Employees can easily register planned tasks, document maintenance activities, and receive automated reminders for upcoming maintenance. By keeping all maintenance records centralized, EZ-GO also simplifies audits, allowing you to quickly retrieve the necessary data for any specific maintenance activity. Additionally, the platform’s checklists and digital forms ensure consistent task execution, helping your team minimize human errors while maintaining real-time visibility into maintenance progress.