Chapter 1

Introduction
1.1 Background

A Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) is a software application

designed to help organizations manage their maintenance operations more efficiently and

effectively. The concept of CMMS dates back to the 1960s when the first computerized

maintenance systems were developed to manage maintenance activities in large manufacturing

facilities. Initially, CMMS was developed to track and schedule preventive maintenance tasks,

such as inspections, lubrication, and cleaning, to prevent equipment failures and minimize

downtime. As technology evolved, CMMS became more sophisticated and began to include

other features such as inventory management, work order management, and asset management.

Today, CMMS is used in a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, healthcare,

hospitality, transportation, and facilities management. CMMS has become an essential tool for

maintenance managers and technicians to plan and schedule maintenance activities, track

inventory and equipment performance, and analyse maintenance data to improve maintenance

strategies. CMMS has evolved from a simple tool for preventive maintenance scheduling to a

comprehensive software application that helps organizations manage their maintenance

operations more effectively. Today, CMMS plays a critical role in ensuring the reliability,

availability, and safety of equipment and assets across industries.

Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) is a systematic approach to identifying and

mitigating potential failures in a system, product, or process. FMEA was originally developed

by the U.S. military in the 1940s to identify and eliminate potential problems in complex

systems. FMEA is typically used during the design and development phases of a product or

system to identify potential failure modes and their potential effects on the system. By

5
identifying potential failure modes early in the design process, engineers and designers can

implement measures to mitigate the risks and prevent failures from occurring. The first step in

FMEA is to identify potential failure modes of the system, product, or process. This involves

brainstorming and identifying all potential failure modes that could occur. Once potential

failure modes have been identified, the next step is to determine the severity of the potential

effects. This involves assessing the consequences of each potential failure mode, such as safety

risks, loss of productivity, or damage to equipment. The final step in FMEA is to assess the

likelihood of each potential failure mode occurring. This involves considering factors such as

the frequency of use, the complexity of the system, and the potential for human error. Based

on the results of the FMEA, engineers and designers can implement measures to mitigate the

risks associated with potential failure modes. These measures can include redesigning the

system, implementing safety controls, or developing maintenance plans to monitor and prevent

potential failures. FMEA has since been adopted by many industries, including aerospace,

automotive, healthcare, and manufacturing, to improve the reliability, safety, and quality of

their products and processes. FMEA is also often used in conjunction with other quality

management tools, such as Six Sigma and Lean, to identify and eliminate potential problems

and improve overall performance.

Maintenance strategy deployment involves implementing a plan to keep equipment or assets

in good working order to maximize their availability and minimize downtime. A CMMS is a

software system that helps organizations manage their maintenance operations by automating

processes such as scheduling maintenance tasks, tracking work orders, and managing

inventory. FMEA is a methodology used to identify potential failure modes of equipment and

the potential effects of those failures on the system. A CMMS is a software system designed to

help organizations manage their maintenance operations more efficiently and effectively.

CMMS software typically includes features such as preventive maintenance scheduling, work