{"id":3551,"date":"2021-01-15T16:29:05","date_gmt":"2021-01-15T23:29:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/limblecmms.com\/?page_id=3551"},"modified":"2025-03-24T14:05:40","modified_gmt":"2025-03-24T20:05:40","slug":"proactive-maintenance","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/limblecmms.com\/learn\/definitions\/proactive-maintenance\/","title":{"rendered":"What is Proactive Maintenance?"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Proactive Maintenance<\/h1>

Everything you ever needed to know about proactive maintenance.<\/h2><\/header>Free CMMS Buyer's Guide<\/span><\/a>\n
\n \n <\/span>Last updated on March 24, 2025<\/span>\n <\/span>\n Bryan Christiansen<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n\n [\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_video link=”https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=whbfvjq-y24″ align=”right” el_class=”video-shadow”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row kd_background_image_position=”vc_row-bg-position-top” css=”.vc_custom_1687442797424{margin-top: 40px !important;}” el_class=”limble-page-blog-width”][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

What is proactive maintenance?<\/h2>\n

Proactive maintenance is a strategy that aims at identifying the root cause of machine issues before they become a more complex problem or an equipment failure. The goal of this type of maintenance approach is to reduce unplanned downtime, decrease the risks associated with operating unreliable assets, reduce maintenance costs, and extend equipment lifespans.<\/span><\/p>\n

Different from the run-to-failure (RTF) maintenance<\/a> approach, in which service is performed after an asset breaks down, proactive maintenance addresses potential problems in advance. RTF maintenance is not bad, but for most assets, it is not the most cost-effective approach. For most organizations, a balance between proactive and reactive maintenance should be considered.<\/span><\/p>\n

Proactive maintenance programs can be implemented in small companies to large enterprises. Larger organizations tend to need more resources, such as modern <\/span>CMMS<\/span><\/a> or <\/span>EAM software<\/span><\/a> to organize the data and help with maintenance activities schedule.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row kd_background_image_position=”vc_row-bg-position-top” css=”.vc_custom_1687442797424{margin-top: 40px !important;}” el_class=”limble-page-blog-width”][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Table of Contents<\/span><\/h2>\n

Why is a proactive approach important?<\/span><\/a>
\nTypes of proactive maintenance<\/a>
\nHow to set up a proactive maintenance strategy<\/a>
\nStreamline maintenance with a proactive approach<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row kd_background_image_position=”vc_row-bg-position-top” css=”.vc_custom_1687440273251{margin-top: 40px !important;}” el_class=”limble-page-blog-width”][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Why is a proactive approach Important?<\/h2>\n

Degradation is a normal part of an asset\u2019s lifecycle. Along with asset depreciation, comes some operational inefficiencies. Pieces of equipment operating in poor conditions use more energy than machines operating in proper conditions. Not to mention the risk of having machine failures when they are operating at a faulty performance.<\/span><\/p>\n

A solid proactive maintenance strategy extends assets lifespan and ensures that they are constantly operating at their peak performance.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row content_placement=”middle” kd_background_image_position=”vc_row-bg-position-bottom” kd_top_separator_style=”skew-left” kd_top_separator_height=”separator-height-small” kd_bottom_separator_style=”skew-left” kd_bottom_separator_height=”separator-height-small” kd_top_separator=”true” kd_bottom_separator=”true” css=”.vc_custom_1682969576554{margin-bottom: 40px !important;padding-top: 120px !important;padding-right: 40px !important;padding-bottom: 50px !important;padding-left: 40px !important;background: #dde4e8 url(https:\/\/limblecmms.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cta-laired-hex-4.webp?id=9077) !important;background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;border-radius: 0px !important;}” css_tablet_landscape=”.vc_custom_1682969576554{padding-bottom: 80px !important;}” css_tablet_portrait=”.vc_custom_1682969576555{padding-bottom: 80px !important;}” css_mobile=”.vc_custom_1682969576555{padding-bottom: 80px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_row_inner kd_background_image_position=”vc_row-bg-position-top”][vc_column_inner]

Checklist for Creating a Preventive Maintenance Plan<\/h2>

Following a consistent Preventive Maintenance Plan can make life easier. Use this checklist to create your own!<\/h6><\/header>[\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner content_placement=”top” kd_background_image_position=”vc_row-bg-position-top”][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″ css=”.vc_custom_1631866454223{padding-right: 50px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}” offset=”vc_col-lg-6 vc_col-md-12 vc_col-xs-12″ css_tablet_landscape=”.vc_custom_1631866454223{padding-right: 0px !important;}” css_tablet_portrait=”.vc_custom_1631866454223{padding-right: 0px !important;}” css_mobile=”.vc_custom_1631866454224{padding-right: 15px !important;}”][vc_raw_html]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[\/vc_raw_html][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image source=”external_link” alignment=”center” css_animation=”fadeIn” custom_src=”https:\/\/3975608.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net\/hubfs\/3975608\/Content%20Downloads\/PM%20Checklist%20mockup.png”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row kd_background_image_position=”vc_row-bg-position-top” css=”.vc_custom_1687440273251{margin-top: 40px !important;}” el_class=”limble-page-blog-width”][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Types of proactive maintenance<\/h2>\n

Most proactive maintenance programs include a mix of time-based strategies and condition-based strategies. As the name implies, a time-based technique schedules regular maintenance activities over a pre-set period of time. A condition-based technique, on the other hand, organizes the maintenance schedule based on the equipment\u2019s condition. Let\u2019s look at both methods further:<\/span><\/p>\n

Preventive maintenance<\/b><\/a><\/h4>\n

This time-based approach aims to keep assets at optimal operating conditions through frequent preventive services in every critical asset. Maintenance activities are scheduled from time-to-time even if the machine does not show any sign of wear-off. Depending on the equipment\u2019s nature, technicians check on the machine every week, month, quarter, or year.<\/span><\/p>\n

Also known as preventative maintenance, this approach is relatively cheap to be implemented. Maintenance managers usually create a checklist to be followed by maintenance technicians, who submit a maintenance report after the service. Most companies use a CMMS to streamline scheduling, assignment, and data tracking.<\/span><\/p>\n

Predictive maintenance<\/b><\/a><\/h4>\n

The focus of this approach is to leverage condition monitoring technology to detect minor anomalies on the machines and with that, have the maintenance team take the necessary corrective actions before the machine breaks or needs more complex maintenance.<\/span><\/p>\n

Because this approach relies on precise data and historical data, it makes it possible to schedule the exact amount of maintenance tasks that a piece of equipment needs \u2014 not too much or too little.<\/span><\/p>\n

This maintenance technique has larger implementation costs when compared with preventative maintenance. That is because predictive maintenance (PdM) requires the implementation of sensors into the assets. These assets collect real-time data and send it to a CMMS database. CMMS software uses the Internet of Things (IoT) along with historical data to form predictive models. With that, maintenance managers are able to create an optimal condition-based maintenance schedule.<\/span><\/p>\n

The functionality of the built-in sensors varies depending on the machine they are installed. Vibration analysis sensors, for example, are most often used on rotating machinery. They indicate when it is time for lubrication. Infrared analysis sensors, on the other hand, are used within pieces of equipment where the temperature is a good indicator of potential failure. There are also ultrasound analysis sensors, motor circuit analysis sensors, microphones, and others.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row kd_background_image_position=”vc_row-bg-position-top” css=”.vc_custom_1687440273251{margin-top: 40px !important;}” el_class=”limble-page-blog-width”][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

How to set up a proactive maintenance strategy<\/h2>\n

There are multiple ways to build a successful proactive maintenance strategy.<\/span><\/p>\n

Although the outcomes are generally similar, the maintenance approach often changes based on the company size, goals, asset types, and maintenance team capabilities.<\/span><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s go over a few steps of the implementation process:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Set Clear Goals<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    The first step in creating an effective maintenance program<\/a> with a proactive nature is to set clear goals. Think about what your company wants to achieve or to avoid with maintenance management.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Some common goals are to:<\/span><\/p>\n