This online manual describes how to use the IMS-RCM tool, the applicable formulas, and the theoretical background of the tool. The basic objective of the IMS-RCM tool is to support the Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) business process to deliver effective results.
RCM is a business process that is used to achieve the desired production process output of a physical asset through the most effective maintenance approach of that asset. RCM identifies the least expensive actions that, when implemented, will reduce the probability of negative effects from equipment failures. RCM seeks the optimal mix of condition-based or predictive actions, with some time-based actions and some “run to failure” strategies. The RCM methodology used here is a “streamlined” approach compared to the “classical” RCM approach originally developed and used in the aviation industry. The streamlining comes from focusing on dominant (recurring) failure modes. Although the “streamlined” approach is often abbreviated as S-RCM or SRCM, this document only uses the abbreviation RCM.
The IMS-RCM tool manual does not aim to provide a detailed description of the RCM business process. It is assumed that the engineers who will use of the IMS-RCM tool are familiar with the RCM business process and how to apply it in practice. However, to enable the IMS-RCM tool to drive value, some time is spent explaining the tool's functionality in line with the relevant RCM business process aspects. Since the IMS-RCM tool is developed based on the formally used RRM-RCM tool, the many years of end-user experience with the RRM tool were incorporated into the design of the IMS-RCM tool. To connect the tool functionality with the business process, a summarized version of the RCM Business Process is provided.