I agreeto Idea Ensure All Scheduled Maintenance is Scheduled Effectively
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Ensure All Scheduled Maintenance is Scheduled Effectively

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I know in my agency, The National Weather Service, all scheduled maintenance on our observations systems such as the radars, the automated observation systems (ASOS), NWR transmitters, and other equipment follows a strict "compounding" maintenance schedule as opposed to a flexible, "sliding" scheduling system. The compounding system creates much more maintenance then is needed. It is easy for management to defend strict, compounding maintenance scheduling but it is actually the most innefficienct way to do it. As an example; Let's assume the radar at an office is due for quarterly PM (preventative maintenance) on March 1st. With a compounding schedule, this job may be accomplished on March 15th, but will be rescheduled for June 1st - a full two weeks before it is actually due the next time - there's no flexibility. (by the way, PMs are usually late for one reason or another). The radar really only needs quarterly maintenance done at a minimum 90-days AFTER the last 90-day PM, so after accomplishing the PM on March 15th, the scheduling system should really "slide" the next scheduled 90-day to June 15th. This ensures that maintenance is not done before it is needed. Likewise, if a the 90-day PM is performed two weeks ahead of time, Feb 15th, then the new scheduled 90-day PM should be scheduled for May 15th - 90 days after the last PM. Suffice to say, sliding scheduling would save money and ensure maintenance is done when it is supposed to, and with enough flexibility to make sense. I would have to guess we'd see a significant savings with sliding scheduling over compounding scheduling.

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Submitted by Community Member 2 years ago

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Comments (3)

  1. Community Member

    I agree, but some managers (and higher ups) are afraid to show that periodic maintenance is not being kept up with. They are afriad to show the manpower needed to maintain equipment (or facilities), which would require them to hire more staff.

    2 years ago
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  2. Community Member

    Which takes us to another issue - the federal government being way, way, WAY over-managed.

    2 years ago
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  3. Community Member

    A directive from the President would be all that would be required to remedy the situation, permanantly.

    2 years ago
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