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Home » Articles » on Maintenance Reliability » Everyday RCM » Dive into the Operating Context and Functions

by Nancy Regan Leave a Comment

Dive into the Operating Context and Functions

Dive into the Operating Context and Functions

RCM Case Study Part 1/4

Mini RCM Case Study: Creating a Reliability Strategy from My Trip to the Dentist

Welcome to Part 1 of our four-part mini-series, where we’ll create an RCM case study inspired by a relatable scenario: a trip to the dentist! In this series, you’ll learn the fundamentals of Reliability-Centered Maintenance (RCM) and apply them in a practical, engaging way.

In this video, we’ll cover:

1. Operating Context – Learn what it is, why it’s important, and how to draft it.

2. Functions – Discover how to define the reliability you need from your equipment by writing specific and measurable functions.

Meet Johnny Chomper—a 30-year-old professional whose teeth need to perform well to support his lifestyle. From biting and chewing to maintaining a confident smile, Johnny’s teeth are put to the test daily. We’ll draft his operating context and write a Primary Function that clearly defines the reliability required from his teeth. What You’ll Learn:

  • How to set the stage for an RCM analysis with a detailed operating context.
  • The importance of defining functions to establish reliability goals for your assets.
  • Step-by-step guidance on how to write a function that captures the desired reliability.

Stay tuned as we build this case study step-by-step, bringing RCM concepts to life in a way that’s easy to understand and apply. Don’t miss the next video, where we’ll dive into Failure Modes and Failure Effects!

Here’s the full list in the series:

RCM Case Study Part 1/4: Dive into the Operating Context and Functions!

RCM Case Study Part 2/4: Let’s get into Failure Modes and Failure Effects (posting July 21, 2025)

RCM Case Study Part 3/4: How to Assigning Preventive Maintenance Task Intervals and Failure Consequences (posting July 28, 2025)

RCM Case Study Part 4/4: How to Set Condition-Based Maintenance (CBM) Intervals Using the P-F Curve (posting August 25,2025)

Filed Under: Articles, Everyday RCM, on Maintenance Reliability

About Nancy Regan

Nancy Regan is a leading authority on Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM).   She has over 20 years’ experience of hands-on practice facilitating RCM analyses, conducting RCM training, and assisting her clients in implementing RCM programs.  With RCM, she helps organizations achieve goals such as reducing maintenance costs, identifying the cause of chronic failure, and shifting from a reactive to a proactive maintenance environment.  Nancy also helps people overcome the organizational challenges that are in the way of creating an effective Reliability Culture.

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