Uniting Parameters - There are many ways to measure maintenance and availability performance. In Europe confusion was reduced in 2007 by the release of EN 15341 Maintenance Key Performance Indicators offering 71 predefined indicators to measure maintenance and availability performance. A similar process was also carried out in North America. The SMRP (Society for Maintenance and Reliability Professionals) establish their Best Practice Committee which defined 70 predefined metrics to measure maintenance and reliability performance. The first 39 SMRP metrics were published in October 2009.

These two activities offer two sets of predefined indicators to measure maintenance and reliability performance; in the light of increased globalization, the need for a common understanding of the indicators that are used to measure maintenance and availability performance is paramount. Seemingly small differences in how a metrics is defined can dramatically affect the resulting measure. Without a common set of indicators and definitions, the ability of an international company to accurately perform benchmarking between facilities in different countries or continents is compromised. In addition, having common metrics offers the following value propositions:

• The maintenance manager can rely on a set of predefined indicators supported by a glossary of definitions;
• The use of predefined indicators makes it easier to compare maintenance and reliability performance across borders;
• When a company wants to construct a set of company indicators or a company scorecard, the development process based on predefined indicators will be easier;
• The predefined indicators can be incorporated in various CMMS reports;
• The predefined metrics can be adopted and modified to fit the company's or the branch's special requirements; and
• The necessity for discussions on indicator definitions is eliminated and uncertainties are reduced.

To respond to this need, a team comprised of EFNMS (European Federation of National Maintenance Societies) and SMRP representatives will release the Global Maintenance and Reliability Indicators 3rd edition containing 29 indicators that can be applied globally. The presentation of the 3rd edition will take place at Euromaintenance 2010 in Verona, Italy on May 13.

Harmonization Beginnings

Until 2006, both the SMRP and the EFNMS were working independent of each other. At Euromaintenance 2006 in Basel, Switzerland, key members of the EFNMS WG 7 and the SMRP Best Practices Committee met for the first time. The purpose of the meeting was to exchange information and to explore possible cooperation efforts.

It was clear from the start that both groups should strive to work toward a common set of indicators to best serve the needs of international companies and their local suppliers. However, since both groups had been developing indicators for some time, and these indicators were already being published, some divergence had already occurred in, formulas, definitions and grouping factors. It was decided to form a joint EFNMS-SMRP working group to resolve differences between the standard EN:15341 indicators and those being developed by the SMRP Best Practices Committee.

Harmonization Results

The joint work group made very good progress, announcing the first harmonization results in January 2007. Currently, there are 29 indicators being harmonized. Each indicator is classified as:

• Identical - the bases of the indicators are the same, although there may be some differences in how they are presented. The differences are detailed in the comments.
• Similar - there are some differences in the differences that are detailed in the comments.
• Same performance - the indicators measure the same performance area, but there are significant differences in the definitions or calculations that are detailed in the comments.

When an indicator is harmonized, a statement declaring this fact is added to the SMRP metric description. Furthermore, the SMRP metric is recommended for use by EFNMS as a guideline or supporting document for the European Indicator.

Hands-on Explanation of Indicators

For each of the 29 harmonized indicators there is a guideline describing:

• The definition of the indicator;
• The objective - the performance to be measured;
• The formula as a percentage or a ratio;
• The component definition, with definitions of the contents in the denominator and nominator; and
• A sample with hands on calculations of the indicator.

The calculations will provide the reader of the workbook with hands-on examples on the components included and excluded in the calculation of the indicator. This is a very useful guidance for the reader and enhances the understanding of the indicators and their application.

Harmonization Future

It is desired to initiate similar harmonization efforts with other international maintenance organizations, such as COPIMAN (Technical Committee on Maintenance of the Pan American Federation of Engineering Societies) or MESA (Maintenance Engineering Society of Australia).

It is also desired to promulgate the use of these indicators as accepted standards. Discussions are ongoing with CEN/TC 319 to consider proposing the harmonized metrics as global standards or guidelines.

EFNMS Maintenance Benchmarking Workshop

The EFNMS Maintenance Benchmarking Committee (EMBC) has produced a format for workshops with the intention to spread the knowledge and understanding on how to use the KPI´s and the understanding of the terminology used. This workshop has been preformed more than 20 times in different countries and EMBC is also providing facilitators to secure the quality of the results. EMBC offers the benchmarking workshop for any organization.

The next possibility to take part in a workshop will be in Verona, Italy organized by the Euromaintenance 2010. The platform for the EFNMS Benchmarking Workshop will be the "Global Maintenance and Reliability Indicators 3rd edition". The workshop welcomes participants from all business at the workshop, but for this workshop we particularly welcome participants from the pharmaceutical, food and chemical business. The Benchmarking Workshop is scheduled for May 13 in Verona. Please note limited participants. The EN standard 15341 and the Global Maintenance and Reliability Indicators workbook are complementary to the workshop materials.

The book "Global Maintenance and Reliability Indicators 3rd edition" can be purchased in a PDF format from the EFNMS or SMRP website. Members of any of the EFNMS member societies can acquire the book at member price of €54, standard price is €126.