Backlog management is one of the keys to a good equipment maintenance system. If the effort that goes into condition monitoring does not result in a high percentage of planned and scheduled repairs, the corresponding results of reliability, costs and availability will be adversely effected. The planning and scheduling routines will also be disrupted.
Backlog is generally understood to be the work that has not been completed by the nominated “required-by-date”. Backlogs are also managed as pending workload for the repair centers. Our approach to Backlog Management is to view it as a powerful tool to proactively prevent failures.
It is commonly understood that there are certain types of failures that will occur, with no signs or measurable warning. Examples are those related to the electronic or electrical control systems. Fortunately our experience shows that most of the failures that mobile equipment experience that cause significant downtime are detectable well in advance of failure, allowing the organization to plan the appropriate corrective actions.
There are two areas that we would like to stress: the early detection of possible failures and their appropriate corrective planning actions. Early detection of potential problems increases the time window to plan the necessary repairs.
We would like to use this diagram above to illustrate our approach to Backlog Management. Backlog Management is the process occurring between the detection of a symptom of a potential or hidden failure and the occurrence of the actual failure itself.
Condition Monitoring and Backlog Management are so critical to achieving the goal of reliability, that any maintenance organization must be able to assess and improve the process. Establishing a logical approach for this planning stage is probably the first step.
We would like to contribute to this effort by presenting a process that was developed in conjunction with our mining dealers.
