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Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) is a time-honored, proven process that helps organizations achieve their Maintenance and Reliability goals. But, it’s often misunderstood and misapplied. In “Everyday RCM,” Nancy Regan sets forth RCM’s principles and purpose in a straightforward (and often fun!) manner using “everyday” examples. (She even gets Elvis, Batman, Chewbacca, and Vegas showgirls involved to help debunk some of RCM’s biggest misconceptions.) Enjoy!
The First Maintenance Lesson I Ever Learned—and How It Applies to Reliability Today
In today’s storytime, I’m sharing the first maintenance lesson I ever learned, back when I was eleven years old and eager to change the oil in my father’s car. As you’ll see, this experience taught me a valuable lesson about quality assurance and accountability—and it reveals one of the biggest mistakes many Reliability Teams make today.
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True or False? Is an Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) Analysis Ever Really Complete?
In this video, I tackle a common question: Once you’ve completed a Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) analysis, is there any need to revisit it? The answer is False! RCM is a living program that should be reviewed whenever key circumstances change, like operational tempo, the operating environment, or even what’s required from the equipment.
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True or False? Is Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) a Proprietary Process?
In this video, I explore a common question: Is Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) proprietary? The answer is False! While the foundational book on RCM was written by Stanley Nowlan and Howard Heap of United Airlines, it was funded by the U.S. government, making RCM a public domain process. Although you’ll find various proprietary training materials, the core principles of RCM are accessible for any organization to apply.
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Test your knowledge of Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) with this quick quiz! Which of the following are part of the RCM process? Is it:
A) CBM
B) FMEA
C) CBM and FMEA
D) None of the above
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True or False? Can RCM Be Applied at Any Stage in an Asset’s Lifecycle.
In this video, I tackle a common question: Can Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) be applied at any point in an asset’s lifecycle? The answer is True! While it’s best to start RCM as early as possible—ideally at the design stage—many successful RCM programs around the world have been implemented long after systems were fielded.
Because RCM is a zero-based process, applying it to legacy equipment offers a chance to reevaluate years of tradition and habits, ensuring that the most safe and cost-effective Failure Management Strategies are in place. RCM’s flexibility means it can deliver great results at any point in an asset’s lifecycle.
I’m Nancy Regan, and I hope you enjoy this quick dive into the versatility of RCM. Thank you for watching!
Storytime: What is Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM)? This is the best definition of RCM I ever heard.
In this video, I share a story that has stuck with me throughout my 26-year journey with Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM). It all started when I was working as a civilian employee at the US Navy’s Naval Warfare Center in Lakehurst, New Jersey. One evening, during a dinner with the British Royal Navy’s RCM team in Bath, England, Commander Andrew Matters shared a simple yet profound definition of RCM: “RCM is nothing more than common sense applied to physical assets.” That definition has guided my understanding of RCM ever since.
RCM might seem complex, but at its core, it’s grounded in practical, common-sense principles. In this video, I explain how RCM helps us identify safe and cost-effective maintenance tasks, manage failure modes, and build a strong reliability culture. When applied correctly, RCM has the power to transform organizations—and I’ve seen it happen firsthand.
What’s keeping you from carrying out a couple of RCM pilot projects? Why not see for yourself how RCM can make a difference for your equipment and your reliability team?
I’m Nancy Regan. Thank you for watching!
In this video, I dive into the concept of Failure Effects and why they’re important to the Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) process. A Failure Effect tells the story of what would happen if we did nothing to predict or prevent each Failure Mode, allowing us to properly assess the consequences and formulate the right maintenance strategies. I break down the essential components of writing a Failure Effect, including:
Understanding this zero-based approach is key, even though it can feel counter-intuitive to RCM Working Group members who are used to managing equipment proactively. That’s why an experienced RCM Facilitator is essential to guide the process. I also share an example of a Failure Effect in the video—feel free to pause and read through it.
True or False? Do Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) Working Group members guess during an RCM analysis?
In this video, I dive into a common misconception about Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) analysis. While it is often wrongly believed that RCM Working Group members take guesses, the reality is quite different. Thanks to their in-depth knowledge of the equipment and its operating environment, they are well-prepared to answer most of the questions posed by the RCM Facilitator.
But what happens when a Working Group doesn’t have all the answers? The RCM Facilitator is trained to recognize when additional information is needed. When that happens, the Failure Mode is put on hold, and an action item is raised to ensure the right data is gathered before proceeding.
Watch this video to learn how RCM analysis is designed to prioritize thoroughness, ensuring that every decision is based on solid information.
True or False? Reading a book or taking an introductory course on Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) enables an organization to successfully implement RCM.
In today’s video, we’ll outline the educational background and work experience required for an RCM Facilitator, as well as the essential skills and abilities necessary for effective RCM Facilitation.
True or False? The RCM Facilitator is responsible for checking the technical validity of the RCM Working Group’s answers to the RCM questions.
False! In this video, we explore the true role of the RCM Facilitator, highlighting their responsibilities and why they should not be an expert on the equipment being analyzed.
In this video, I reveal one of the most common mistakes people make when writing Failure Modes in a Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA).
Too often, people confuse Failure Modes with Failure Effects, leading to wasted time and ineffective results. But don’t worry! I’ll show you how to avoid this by asking one simple question: “What specifically causes…?” This technique helps ensure you develop proactive strategies that improve equipment reliability, avoid unexpected downtime, and strengthen your overall maintenance plan
True or False? Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) seeks to analyze every Failure Mode.
False! In this short video, I clarify that RCM provides specific criteria for selecting which Failure Modes to include in the analysis. Discover the four criteria that guide this selection process. They include those that:
Join me, Nancy Regan, as we break down these criteria and enhance your understanding of RCM!
In this video, we dive into the significance of operating context when identifying proactive maintenance tasks for your equipment. Have you ever considered how the operating environment impacts maintenance strategies? Using the example of our metal building, we explore how factors like temperature and operational conditions can drastically affect maintenance tasks and intervals. 🔍 Discover how we determine the operating environment in Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) analysis, including:
We also discuss how operating context influences not only maintenance strategies but also other important failure management strategies, such as emergency procedures and equipment redesigns.
