Maintenance performance evaluation using an integrated approach of graph theory, ISM and matrix method

Abstract

Operational performance of a plant and its competitiveness are dependent on reliability and maintainability of its equipment, which in turn are dependent on how these are designed and how effectively the maintenance activities are carried out. This paper proposes an integrated approach based on graph theory, interpretive structural modelling (ISM) and matrix method to quantitatively evaluate the maintenance performance leading to a numerical index, called as maintenance performance index (IMP). The approach is premised based on the fact that, the effectiveness of maintenance performance is a complex interaction of various factors prevailing in the plant. The index evaluates the maintenance performance by assessment of the individual maintenance functions, which the system is expected to fulfil. IMP is obtained from the Maintenance Performance Matrix by substituting the performance index, (IFP), of the individual maintenance functions and maintenance function’s interdependence values. Performance index of each individual maintenance function is obtained from the corresponding Function Performance Matrix, by substituting indicator characteristic values and indicator causal interrelationship values. This matrix is obtained by extracting the relationships among the indicators using the ISM approach. The ISM presents a hierarchy based model of the interrelated indicators and their significance in the measurement of maintenance performance. The methodology is demonstrated using a case study. The approach is premised based on the fact that, the effectiveness of maintenance performance is a complex interaction of various factors prevailing in the plant. The suggested methodology is convenient for the industry to hierarchically classify both subjective and objective performance parameters and in quantifying maintenance performance.