What is "Reliability Centered Maintenance" (RCM) primarily focused on?

Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) is primarily focused on ensuring that systems operate reliably and safely. This approach to maintenance emphasizes understanding the functions and potential failures of systems to determine the most effective maintenance strategies. RCM aims to identify critical components and assess their likelihood of failure, which allows organizations to prioritize maintenance activities based on the impact of those failures on system performance and safety.

By concentrating on reliability, RCM goes beyond just reducing costs or increasing repair frequency. It takes a proactive stance in maintaining equipment, helping organizations reduce unplanned downtime, improve safety, and extend the lifespan of assets. This systematic approach enables better decision-making regarding maintenance practices, ensuring that resources are allocated where they will have the most significant impact on operational reliability and safety.