Chapter 2: Overview on Maintenance Management of Assets

This chapter expands on the concept of maintenance and the existing decision-making levels crucial in the maintenance of assets. Deliberations are further made on the evolution of maintenance, as well as the concept of sustainability and its significance on maintenance.

Maintenance management is understood as practices and/or activities required for an asset to perform optimally and according to defined performance standards that meet organisational targets and goals. According to Wireman (1990), maintenance management is a combination of technical, administrative and managerial actions undertaken during the lifecycle of an asset, needed to retain or restore functionality and reliability of an asset. Horner et al. (1997) point out that maintenance ultimately must minimise defects and failures of assets by implementing cost-effective planned maintenance practices throughout the assets’ lifecycle. Planned maintenance, unlike reactive maintenance practices, is undertaken at planned intervals and requires appropriate planning and clear decision-making.