Introduction to RCM

We recommend going through Getting Started with Relyence RCM as a starting point for learning Relyence RCM. From there, you can proceed to building your own analyses.

The following process is intended to be a starting point for performing RCM analysis; you can adapt it as required for your needs.

1. Select an RCM standard to use
2. Decide if you are going to use RCM in conjunction with FMEA
3. Prepare for RCM Analysis
4. Proceed through the Decision Diagram
5. For assets requiring a maintenance plan, use the RCM Worksheet to define the Tasks to perform

1. Select an RCM standard to use

There are several RCM standards. A few of the most commonly used ones are SAE  JA1011 and SAE JA1012,  MIL-HDBK-2173, and NAVAIR 00-25-403. You may choose to use one of these as a basis for your analysis setup. Or you may choose to start with one of these and modify it to better suit your needs. However, you also are not required to use one of the standards. You may develop an approach that is best for your organization and use a customized approach to your RCM analyses.

2. Decide if you are going to use RCM in conjunction with FMEA

To begin the RCM process, you must first decide if you plan to use RCM in a stand-alone manner or use it in conjunction to your Failure Modes and Effects Analyses. Many of the commonly used RCM standards indicate that a full FMEA (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis) be completed prior to performing your RCM analysis. In cases where you are adhering or required to adhere to a standard, a FMEA may be prescribed for compliance. However, even without the compliance requirement, this approach is beneficial for many reasons, the key one being that you will complete a full analysis of all the potential failure modes of your system.  Performing a FMEA enables you to have a significant starting point for your Reliability Centered Maintenance study, providing for a more streamlined and efficient analysis.

3. Prepare for RCM Analysis

At this point, depending upon your approach, get ready for RCM analysis.

Case 1: Use are using RCM in conjunction with FMEA

a. Determine which items of your Analysis Tree require an RCM analysis.

When using FMEA and RCM together, the most efficient and common approach, the first step is to make sure your FMEA is completed. 

Upon FMEA completion, determine which items in your system require RCM analysis. In some cases, the standards may offer a series of questions to consider to determine if an RCM analysis is necessary. Or, using criteria of your own, determine which components of your system warrant an RCM analysis.

Case 2: You are using RCM as a stand-alone analysis not in conjunction with FMEA

a. Define your Analysis Tree

The first step is to define all the components of your system. Typically, you describe your system through a hierarchical breakdown with subsystems arranged in parent-child relationships. In Relyence, the is referred to as the Analysis Tree. 

b. Determine which items of your Analysis Tree require an RCM analysis.

Then you must decide which items in your system require RCM analysis. In some cases, the standards may offer a series of questions to consider to determine if an RCM analysis is necessary. Or, using criteria of your own, determine which components of your system warrant an RCM analysis.

c. Define all potential failure modes

For each element of your system which you determine requires an RCM analysis, define all the potential failure modes of those components. Because identifying failure modes is a central component of Failure Mode & Effects Analysis (FMEA), this is the reason FMEA is often utilized with RCM, and as a precursor to the RCM process. It is vital to carefully consider all potential failures that are possible in order to most effectively perform your RCM analysis.

4. Proceed through the Decision Diagram

At this point, you are ready to proceed to the first step in your RCM analysis - using the Decision Diagram to determine the most effective maintenance strategy to employ.

For each subsystem requiring RCM analysis, go through all its potential failure modes and answer the key questions to help select the preferred maintenance approach. In some cases, the result may be "None", which is a valid end point if the maintenance plan would be too costly or ineffective.

5. For assets requiring a maintenance plan, use the RCM Worksheet to define the Tasks to perform

Once you have all the assets requiring a maintenance action of any kind, use the RCM Worksheet to describe the task to be performed. For example, this may be a schedule maintenance activity or a task performed based on some predictive indicator.