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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!
In this video, filmed at the historic La Popa Monastery in Cartagena, Colombia, I dive into the importance of Failure Effects in the Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) process. Failure Effects might seem like just one step in the RCM journey, but they’re essential for understanding the impact of Failure Modes — and that’s what makes them so special.
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Why do we practice Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM)? In this video, I share a real-life example from a recent trip that perfectly illustrates RCM’s purpose: managing the consequences of failure.
When my flight faced an issue with its auxiliary power unit (APU), the pilot used alternative methods to keep us moving safely. This experience highlights how RCM principles guide us in deciding which failures need proactive maintenance and which can be managed with other strategies. Join me, Nancy Regan, as I walk through the essence of RCM and how it helps us focus on what truly matters.
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Do we need comprehensive failure data to perform Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM)? This question brings us to Resnikoff’s conundrum, a thought-provoking concept introduced by mathematician Resnikoff in the 1970s. Resnikoff pointed out that while failure data is useful, data on critical failures—which we aim to prevent—is often missing or minimal. So, how do we manage RCM effectively without it?
In this video, I explain how a facilitated working group approach to RCM fills in these data gaps by leveraging the knowledge and experience of equipment experts. Join me, Nancy Regan, as we explore this unique aspect of RCM!
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In this video, we’re testing our knowledge of how to write Failure Modes correctly — a crucial step in the Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) process. As my mentor John Moubray taught, we manage physical assets at the Failure Mode level, so it’s essential to get them right. I’ll walk you through a few examples to show what separates a properly written Failure Mode from a Failure Effect.
Learn how to identify specific Failure Modes that will help you get on the “right road” to creating safe and effective proactive maintenance tasks, intervals, and Default Strategies. Let’s dive in and see how well we know Failure Modes!
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In this video, we’re exploring the best way to conduct a Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) analysis. When it comes to RCM, there’s definitely a “recipe” for success that includes two key ingredients: firsthand knowledge of the equipment and its operating environment, and a strong understanding of RCM principles and how to apply them.
We’ll break down three common approaches to RCM—outsourcing, single analyst, and the facilitated working group approach. Discover why the facilitated working group approach stands out as the best way to ensure a comprehensive, effective RCM analysis. I’m Nancy Regan, and I hope you enjoy the video!
Welcome to Storytime! In this video, I’m sharing the most valuable lesson my mentor, John Moubray, taught me. Years ago, I visited John and his wife at their home in Asheville, North Carolina. When I arrived, the first thing he asked me was, “Look around my house and tell me what’s missing.” I had already noticed that there wasn’t a single TV in sight. John believed that time is our most precious asset, far more valuable than money, and he didn’t want to waste a moment of it.
This story left a deep impression on me, and I carry it with me to this day. Time is the great equalizer—we all get 24 hours a day, and it’s up to us to decide how we use it. Thank you for choosing to spend some of yours with me today!
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.
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.
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.
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.
