Changing the way we measure maintenance - Mobile Assets

Recently we spoke about how our current approach to KPI's and performance reporting leaves a lot to be desired. In particular the fact that we still represent performance as one point in time (one figure), we often misuse the metrics we do have, and we do not take advantage of advances in technology. 

Although there were a range of suggested metrics included in this post, I wanted to post some actual (Anonymous) data to try to show how powerful it is to use modern technologies for asset improvement. 

The graph presented in this post is called a Motion Graph and it is developed using Google Drive. 


With charts like this there are always lots of options. So using the controls set the colors to "Unique", the size to "Number of Units" and the bottom (X) axis to "Time". 

You can decide if you want to view trails or not or to have the labels with the chart as it moves through its trend or not. (Just click the asset type)

Lastly you may wish to use a logarithmic axis for the vertical (Y) axis. I use this sometimes to provide me with greater granularity of the information being analysed. 

The Results

The results, I think, are very impressive. For that period we could see a Haul Truck availability of nearly 98% due to the very low utilization, even with that the overall downtime for haul trucks would really demand attention. 

This is generally where attention is drawn. More units, more noticeable impact on operations, and a higher profile asset. 

However, after reviewing the motion chart we can see a strange trend for the Loaders. Even though there are only three loaders in this site their downtime often leads the pack. 

The Blast Hole Drill (1 of) is also one of the pack leaders. (Even though there are 17 haul trucks)

This gives us an altogether different view of the information. We had already run this information through Bubble Charts, showing us the chronic failures for different asset types. We had also ran our TUM analysis to show us exactly how we were using the assets every day. 

But none of those tools had been able to show us the worrying trend of two fleets with relatively low numbers demanding most of our attention from time to time. 

Graphic analysis tools like this help the Maintenance Analyst is able to find even better ways of targeting their analytical efforts to return maximum value to the organization. 

Always remember that tools like this, and analytical methods are not for show, they are for using!

I see many, many graphs and reports that I can see have been generated purely to demonstrate proficiency in analysis to a manager, without any detailed analysis or results. 

These graphs may never hit the managers desk, and that is great. But they will provide the analyst with additional information that they can use to take decisions that will provide even greater bottom line benefits.