Six Proven Strategies for Smarter Maintenance Decisions

Michel Theriault, founder of Success Fuel for Managers in Guelph, Ontario, reminds us that data is only valuable when it drives action. Likewise, Professor Dr. A.K.S. Jardine—recently director of the Centre for Maintenance Optimization and Reliability Engineering (C‑MORE) at the University of Toronto—warns that we are increasingly data‑rich but information‑poor.

Today’s advanced sensor networks can generate vast amounts of machine‑condition data, but without proper interpretation, that data becomes a burden rather than a strategic asset. Theriault, also principal of Strategic Advisor, a facilities and property‑management consultancy, distilled his experience into six actionable guidelines for turning raw data into maintenance decisions that save money and improve service.

1. Collect only useful data. Ask yourself whether the data can be transformed into actionable knowledge that will improve service levels or reduce costs.
2. Use robust analysis tools. Export data into a format your team can work with—Excel’s pivot tables, specialized analytics platforms, or enterprise systems—so you can uncover patterns and trends.
3. Prioritize data accuracy. Align your data collection with how it will be used. For cost tracking, decide whether you need precise, real‑time financial integration or if periodic snapshots suffice.
4. Convert data into actionable information. Combine datasets, trend over time, examine outliers, and apply your operational expertise to turn raw numbers into decisions.
5. Evaluate what truly matters. Perform variance analyses to understand the impact of data uncertainty. Consider how a 25% deviation would alter your decision and weigh that risk against potential gains.
6. Communicate in manager‑friendly language. Build a solid business case with clear methodology, confidence levels, and pre‑emptive answers to potential objections—especially when change is involved.

By avoiding unnecessary data collection, discarding irrelevant information, and translating the remaining data into actionable insights, you can make maintenance decisions that are both evidence‑based and strategically sound.

Steve Gahbauer is an engineer, a Toronto‑based business writer, and a regular contributing editor to PLANT.

This article originally appeared in PLANT Magazine, Volume 74, No. 04.