Feeling Proactive? 10 Maintenance Activities You Should Do Now

If you’re tasked with overseeing or managing the care of assets, you likely have a lot on your plate. The last thing you want is for one to go down or start indicating signs of failure. But what can you do to ensure that everything can keep running smoothly?

Allow us to introduce proactive maintenance, your new best friend. 

So, what is proactive maintenance? 

Do you feel like you are constantly fighting fires? You might be stuck in a reactive maintenance state—fixing assets after they break. This method can end up costing you in the long run, whether it’s by paying more for emergency repairs or suffering through downtime. Another approach is proactive maintenance. Also known as preventive maintenance, this strategy aims to prevent equipment breakdowns and minimize downtime.

Data is the secret sauce for maintenance and operations (M&O) departments that opt for proactive maintenance strategies. Teams that leverage an asset management solution can centralize just about everything for better visibility across assets, streamlined workflows, and the planning and scheduling of tasks. Additionally, asset management helps organizations understand just where those labor and budget resources are being used. 

10 types of proactive maintenance activities 

To help elaborate on different kinds of proactive maintenance activities, your teams could accomplish, we’ve gathered ten tasks and projects that, when done routinely, can help you optimize your operations and, ultimately, help save on costs.  

1. Take care of your regularly scheduled inspections  

Did you know that an asset management solution can help you extend the life of physical assets? Schedule routine inspections of equipment and machinery to identify potential issues before they become major problems. This helps to cut costs and maintain operational efficiency. Yay, proactive maintenance! 

2. Re-evaluate your maintenance schedules 

Chances are your team has work processes that ebb and flow depending on the season or what’s happening with the business. An asset management solution can help you use your data to create a maintenance schedule based on historical data and manufacturer recommendations to perform routine tasks at the very best intervals; we’re talking things such as: 

• Regularly applying lubricants to moving parts and bearings to reduce friction and prevent wear and tear 
• Timely filter changes and belt replacements 
• Checking and tightening bolts, screws, and other fasteners to prevent vibrations and ensure equipment stability

3. Get a head start on predictive maintenance

Predictive maintenance uses data analytics, sensor technologies, and machine learning algorithms to predict when equipment is likely to fail. Teams can utilize predictive maintenance techniques such as vibration analysis, thermography, and oil analysis to detect early signs of equipment wear and tear. 

4. Monitor what condition your condition is in  

Many organizations install sensors and monitoring systems so they can continuously track the condition of critical components and receive real-time data on their performance. With the Internet of Things (IoT) remote asset management, it’s easier to identify and maintain poorly performing assets before they become a major problem.  

5. Do an inventory of your spare parts 

When you have an asset management solution, you should be able to do a better job of taking stock of your stock! The right technology will enable you to track exactly what you have and where it is located. Use your data to maintain an organized inventory of spare parts and critical components to ensure quick replacements when needed. This is one proactive maintenance activity you’ll be glad you did next time you’re looking for that spare part. 

6. Hold an employee training 

With turnover and hiring challenges, a little training is always a good idea to help workers gain skills and knowledge. It can also be helpful to record these trainings for future employees (and if you have the right asset management tool, you should be able to store these in the platform). One idea is to train maintenance staff and equipment operators on best practices for operating and maintaining equipment to prevent premature wear and damage. 

7. Brush up your documentation and records  

An asset management solution is a great place to keep detailed records of maintenance activities, inspections, and equipment history to track trends and make informed decisions. If you have extra time, it can be helpful to have your more experienced team members record their insights on things they might just be doing because they know to do it (i.e., always checking a particular machine at the beginning of each week because it tends to have issues). 

8. Common or recurring issue? Run some diagnostics  

A root cause analysis is a systematic process for identifying the underlying or fundamental causes of a problem or issue that involves investigating events, incidents, or failures to understand not only what happened but also why it happened to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future. For example, investigate the root causes of equipment failures to identify underlying issues and implement corrective actions. Once you figure it out, you can record your findings in your asset management system. 

9. Perform an upgrades and modernization evaluation   

Even if you do everything right and perform all the routine maintenance and inspections, sometimes, your assets are just…old. Depending on the asset, replacing it can get quite expensive, so use your evaluation to plan and prioritize. Remember, it can be worth considering upgrading equipment or implementing modernization initiatives to extend their lifespan and improve efficiency.

10. Time to lean? Time to clean!

In any scenario, a clean workspace is essential—it promotes safety and helps ensure that nothing gets into the nooks and crannies of your assets. Keep equipment and work areas clean to prevent the buildup of debris, dust, or contaminants that can lead to equipment malfunction.

Remember that a proactive maintenance strategy should be tailored to the specific needs and challenges of your organization and equipment. Regularly review and refine your approach to ensure it remains effective in preventing unplanned downtime and optimizing asset performance.

A Brightly approach to proactive maintenance

At Brightly, we know that with the right tools, switching from reactive to proactive mode can streamline your operations, increase efficiencies and lower costs. From helping organizations manage and maintain all their assets and facilities to optimizing resourcing and communication, we give M&O teams the power to put their best efforts toward proactive maintenance.

For over 20 years, we’ve helped clients tackle everything from improved maintenance of critical assets to strategically planning for the future. Ready to learn more? Schedule a call with an expert today.