Preventive vs. Preventative: What Do You Call Your Style of Proactive Maintenance?
Some debates just answer themselves, with reasoning so apparent, there’s really no question as to what the right answer really is.
This is not one of those debates.
For the sake of consistency in this post, we’ll opt to use the more commonly used “preventive,” though in truth, there’s really no right answer.
Regardless of how you pronounce your style of proactive maintenance however, the benefits of moving away from reactive repairs to preventing potential breakdowns before they occur are plentiful. Here are just a few:
Cost savings
Preventive maintenance helps identify and address small issues before they turn into costly repairs or full equipment failures. By scheduling proactive inspections and servicing, organizations can prevent emergency breakdowns, lower overall maintenance expenses, and minimize the financial impact of unexpected downtime.
Increased reliability
When critical assets fail, operations can come to a halt, leading to lost productivity and revenue. Preventive maintenance helps ensure equipment remains in peak condition, reducing the risk of unexpected breakdowns and keeping workflows uninterrupted. Reliable assets mean more consistent performance, better service delivery, and fewer operational disruptions.
Extended asset lifespans
Replacing major equipment can be a significant financial burden. A well-executed preventive maintenance program helps slow the wear and tear on your assets, extending their useful life and delaying costly replacements. This not only maximizes your return on investment but can also inform long-term capital plans.
Improved compliance
Many industries adhere to strict regulatory and safety requirements. Preventive maintenance helps organizations meet these high standards by ensuring equipment is properly maintained and documented, reducing the risk of non-compliance fines, legal issues, and safety hazards.
Better energy efficiency and sustainability
Poorly maintained equipment often consumes more energy than necessary, leading to higher utility costs and environmental impact. Proactive maintenance can ensure that assets like HVAC systems, lighting, and industrial machinery are operating at peak efficiency – or identify necessary repairs before they snowball into larger issues – reducing potential energy waste and supporting sustainability initiatives.
Reduced risk
Faulty equipment can pose serious safety risks to employees, customers, and the surrounding environment. Preventive maintenance helps identify potential hazards before they become dangerous, creating a safer work environment and reducing the risk of accidents, injuries, and liability claims.
Smarter resource allocation
A well-structured preventive maintenance program allows teams to plan ahead, prioritize maintenance needs, accelerate workflows, and allocate resources where they are needed most. Being proactive with repairs and upgrades helps prevent unnecessary emergency fixes, ensuring maintenance teams can use their time more efficiently.
No matter how you say it, Brightly gets it
Whether you’re a staunch “preventive maintenance” user or strongly defend your use of “preventative,” one thing is clear: using your data to be proactive about your maintenance can make your life much easier – and everyone deserves a little boost to make life less complicated.
With Brightly’s suite of asset lifecycle management solutions, you can take control of your maintenance strategy, optimize resources, and make more proactive, data-driven decisions that benefit your entire organization.
If you want learn more about preventive maintenance, check out some of these other resources:
