Perhaps the most important step in the implementation of a reliability strategy at any given plant is to understand that maintenance does not control reliability.  As such, any process that is led by maintenance is not likely to achieve reliability and operational excellence.  A proper reliability strategy integrates and facilitates collaboration between operations, design, purchasing/stores, and maintenance, with operations taking the lead role in reliability improvement.

In this session, along with special guest Andy Frasier, we’ll discuss the various roles of each functional element in the reliability process and provide a specific strategy for their implementation.  Specifically, it requires:

• Executive led sponsorship and active engagement in understanding and implementing reliability practices, much the same as it does for safety practices. The data demonstrate that a reliable plant is a safe and cost effective plant, both about which executives care deeply.
• A partnership between operations and maintenance, one that is operations led, not maintenance. Most of the defects resulting in un-reliability are not controlled by maintenance, but rather by operations, design, and procurement.
• A set of cross-functional measures that facilitate collaboration among the functional groups, and reinforces the partnership they must share.
• A process for shop floor engagement. If you want to understand the problems with the work, talk to the workers and get them involved in problem resolution.  They will feel a sense of purpose, ownership, and control over their work practices.

We hope you enjoy this episode!