Messy data in your computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) can be an expensive problem that hinders your operational efficiency and drives up maintenance costs to unsustainable levels. You’ll also experience consequences like decreased equipment reliability and shorter asset life cycles.  

With the right approach to data management, you can clean up your mess of information and set the stage for more efficient operations. By applying proven master data management (MDM) best practices, PCA Consulting has helped clients extend the mean time between failures (MTBF) from months to years.  

Here’s a glimpse into how you can do the same. 

Does It Really Matter if Your Data Is Messy?  

Unorganized or inaccurate information may feel like little more than a nuisance. On the contrary, poorly managed master data can lead to a wide range of problems that impact your bottom line. If you don’t have accurate information about maintenance and machinery, your team might struggle to perform timely and effective repairs.  

You’ll experience frequent downtime and higher-than-normal upkeep costs. None of that is good for business. Additionally, a lack of accurate master data records can lead to poor decision-making.  

Without reliable information about the condition and history of your machinery, it’s difficult to plan maintenance activities or effectively anticipate future needs. This can result in repeating the same failures over and over. 

Transform Your Operations Through MDM 

The challenges outlined above don’t have to become your normal. Take the time to clean up your data and establish accurate, comprehensive records for all of your assets. Doing so will lay the foundation for a more proactive and efficient maintenance strategy.  

Consistency and accuracy are paramount. Standardize your data and the way that employees input information. All equipment records must follow a uniform format.  

You may have to revisit old records to correct inaccuracies and fill in missing information. While the cleaning process can be tedious, it will set the stage for long-term efficiency improvements.  

Once you’ve cleaned up your data mess, start using it to drive more effective maintenance strategies. You can identify patterns and trends that indicate potential issues before they impact your business performance. 

You will also be able to shift from a reactive to a proactive approach. Maintenance personnel can schedule repairs and parts replacements based on data instead of waiting for machines to break down.  

PCA Consulting uses a data-first approach to maintenance optimization. We have successfully implemented these principles to help our clients extend the MTBF from a few months to nearly a decade. In our experience, extending a mean time between failure for pumps from a few months to nine years is possible.  

Lead With Clean Data 

Every aspect of your operations requires clean, accurate master data. If your CMMS master data is a virtual mess, it’s time to make a change. By taking control of your data management processes, you can transform your operations and make them more efficient.