James Kovacevic

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So far James Kovacevic has created 161 blog entries.

Using Simplified Technical English to Write Effective Maintenance Procedures

Reduce the Variability in Your Work Routines and Procedures

Based on our understanding of the six failure patterns, we can see that there is a large probability of failure when the equipment is first installed and started up.   One of the Englisch causes of this increase in probability is the fact that the equipment was not installed or maintained correctly.  This may be due to the installer or maintainer not using or following procedures.  Having procedures is the first step to reducing these failures, but the procedures must be written in a clear, […]

By |2019-04-19T15:49:41-04:00March 20th, 2017|Adherence to Standards, Capability, Capability, Knowledge, People, Knowledge Management, Organizational Management, Performance Management, Standard Work, Work Instructions, Work Management, Work Planning, Work Quality|Comments Off on Using Simplified Technical English to Write Effective Maintenance Procedures

Establishing the Frequency of Failure Finding Maintenance Inspections

Preventing The Consequences Of A Hidden Failure From Devastating Your Organization.

Ever wonder how some of the worst industrial disasters occur?  It is usually the result of multiple failures.  Failure of the primary system and failure of the protective systems.   Ensuring the protective system(s) are not in a failed state should be of utmost importance to any organization.  But how often should we test the protective systems to ensure the required availability?

Establishing the correct frequencies of the inspection/ testing activities of these protective system(s) is critical to not only the success but safety […]

By |2019-04-19T15:49:44-04:00March 13th, 2017|Equipment Strategy, Reliability Centered Maintenance, Reliability Engineering, Review RCM|Comments Off on Establishing the Frequency of Failure Finding Maintenance Inspections

Establishing the Frequency of On-Condition Maintenance Inspections

Ensuring The Inspections Will Catch the Defect Before A Functional Failure Occurs

Ever wonder how some organizations make their vibration or thermographic program work, and not only work but deliver huge results to their organization?  They use a systematic approach to establishing the correct frequencies of inspection.   Establishing the correct frequencies of maintenance activities is critical to the success of any maintenance program.   Too infrequently and the organization is subjected to failures, resulting in poor operational performance.  Too frequently, and the organization is subjected to excess planned downtime and an increased probability of […]

By |2019-04-19T15:49:45-04:00March 6th, 2017|Equipment Strategy, Reliability Centered Maintenance|Comments Off on Establishing the Frequency of On-Condition Maintenance Inspections

Establishing Fixed Time Maintenance Intervals

How to Select The Optimum Fixed Time Maintenance Intervals

Think about your maintenance program. How often are your PMs scheduled?  How were those frequencies established?   If you are in the majority, the chances are that the frequencies were either established from the OEM manual, or by someone in the department without data.

Establishing the correct frequency of maintenance activities is critical to the success of any maintenance program.   Too infrequently and the organization is subjected to failures, resulting in poor operational performance.  Too frequently, and the organization is subjected to excess planned downtime and […]

By |2019-04-19T15:49:45-04:00February 27th, 2017|Equipment Strategy, Reliability Centered Maintenance, Reliability Engineering|Comments Off on Establishing Fixed Time Maintenance Intervals

Living With The 6 Failure Patterns

How To Manage Each Failure Pattern With An Effective Maintenance Strategy

Most maintenance and reliability professionals have seen the six failure patterns (or failure hazard plots), described by Nowlan and Heap.  In case you are unfamiliar with them, you can learn more about them in a previous article on them.   Here is a quick summary to jog the memory, just in case.

  • A. Bathtub Curve – accounts for approximately 4% of failures
  • B. Wear Out – accounts for approximately 2% of failures
  • C. Fatigue – accounts for approximately 5% of failures
  • […]

By |2019-04-19T15:49:46-04:00February 20th, 2017|Equipment Strategy, Reliability Centered Maintenance|Comments Off on Living With The 6 Failure Patterns