Maintenance optimization models and criteria

Abstract

Due to widespread automation and the high capital tied up in production equipment, the importance of maintenance is ever increasing. This makes maintenance an investment opportunity to be optimized, not a cost to be minimized. Academics have recognized this and many maintenance optimization models have been published over the years. Most of these models focus on one optimization criterion or objective, making multi-objective optimization models an underexplored area of maintenance optimization. Moreover, there is a big gap between academic models and application in practice. It is very difficult for industrial companies to adapt these models to their specific business context. This article reviews the literature on maintenance optimization models, with special focus on the optimization criteria and objectives used. To overcome flaws in present optimization models, a generic classification framework of maintenance optimization models is presented. All factors that have an influence on the optimization model will be made explicit and their links will be established. The framework is a starting point to develop business specific optimization models and enables decision making in e-maintenance. Moreover, it ensures a fit between the business model of a company and the maintenance optimization model right from the beginning. Future research will be on the development of a maintenance optimization model taking into account the most relevant optimization influence factors and criteria for a situation at hand.