Despite the clear benefits, you might hesitate to adopt predictive maintenance (PdM). Common barriers often get in the way of PdM adoption, no matter how crucial it is for improving operational efficiency and reliability. That’s why we talked to Jonathan McNamee, General Manager Reliability division of HAYLEY 247 DEXIS. Jonathan helps us understand how PdM transforms operations and brings a renewed sense of purpose and satisfaction to maintenance engineers.
COMMON BARRIERS TO ADOPTION
Initial Cost Concerns
Perhaps the more obvious barrier is the perceived high cost. It’s incredibly daunting for smaller businesses to invest in PdM technologies without a clear ROI. As Jonathan says, “Not everybody is ready for it; they don’t see maybe if I spend £15,000 today how that will return. that barrier can be overcome by working with a partner who aims to prove the business case with you – analysing return on investment as part of a land and expand model.”
Cultural Resistance
Cultural resistance within your organisation can also be a hurdle. Long-standing practices and a lack of familiarity with new technologies can make it challenging for your team to embrace change. Jonathan points out, “Some engineers not used to working with new tools and technologies find the shift to PdM challenging. But it’s worth remembering that you’re not alone; we’re used to working alongside engineers to explain and support 24/7.”
Lack of data literacy
Effective predictive maintenance relies on your ability to collect, analyse, and act on data. If your team lacks data literacy or doesn’t have the infrastructure to manage large volumes of data, implementing PdM can seem like a struggle. Jonathan emphasises the importance of developing a “data culture supported by a PdM partner that can monitor data alongside you.”
TRANSFORMING MAINTENANCE PRACTICES
Starting small and scaling up
One effective strategy is to start small and scale up gradually. Jonathan suggests a “land and expand” approach, where you begin with a few critical assets and prove the concept before expanding. This way, you can see tangible benefits without immediately committing to a large-scale implementation. Demonstrating savings and improvements on a smaller scale can build confidence and justify further investment.
Empowering maintenance teams
PdM is a game-changer for your team. It shifts the focus from reactive to proactive tasks, allowing your team to engage in more meaningful and strategic work. Instead of constantly firefighting, your team can now take ownership of improving asset health. This empowerment leads to greater job satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment among your maintenance personnel.
Enhancing job satisfaction
for many engineers, the daily grind of reactive maintenance can be draining. PdM offers a chance to engage in more stimulating and impactful work. Jonathan notes, “Doing the same old firefighting and reactive maintenance isn’t stimulating. PdM provides job satisfaction by allowing engineers to do more proactive work.” This shift not only improves your quality of work life but also showcases value to the organisation.
THE JOYS OF PREDICTIVE MAINTENANCE
Problem-solving and innovation
At its core, PdM taps into an engineer’s fundamental drive: problem-solving. Engineers naturally identify issues and find solutions, and PdM gives them the tools and data to do just that. Jonathan highlights that embracing a data driven culture can be “quite exciting” for those who thrive on solving complex problems.
BUILDING A POSITIVE MAINTENANCE CULTURE
Adopting PdM helps build a positive maintenance culture within your organisation. By focusing on continuous improvement and leveraging data to make informed decision, you can create an environment where maintenance is seen as a strategic function rather than a necessary evil. This cultural shift can lead to greater collaboration, innovation, and operational excellence.
At HAYLEY 247 DEXIS, we’re dedicated to helping you navigate this journey, bringing the joy back to maintenance engineers and driving long-term success for your business. If you would like to improve reliability and productivity, speak to your local HAYLEY DEXIS team.