Starting an RCM Analysis

This RCM online tutorial describes how to start an RCM Analysis and use the 5 guided steps..

1. Floc grid: Click on an individual Floc and a second screen opens. Scroll down to RCM analysis section. Select the Failure Mode of interest.
2. Equipment grid: Click on an individual Equipment and a second screen opens. Scroll down to RCM analysis section. Select the Failure Mode of interest.
3. System grid: Click on an individual System. Scroll to the Functions and Functional Failures section. Click on Failure mode for the Tag of interest.
4. Analysis grid with analyses per row: Click on Failure mode for the Tag of interest.

Just the first 3 methods above will provide guided steps for completion of the RCM analysis, the last method provides a grid overview of RCM analyses, without guided steps for completion of the RCM analysis.

In the next tutorials we focus on the RCM analysis using the guided steps. One can use the ‘scoping bar’ to limit the scope of assets involved, for instance focusing to a particular System, and find the RCM analyses of interest more effectively.

Though RCM analyses can be done on Floc level and Equipment level, the RCM analyses is done only on one of these two objects (not on both) leaving the other objects without Failure Modes/RCM Analyses.

There are multiple ways to reach the detailed RCM analysis. In below example we use here the Equipment grid: 

• In the Equipment grid, click on the individual Equipment. 
• Scroll down to the RCM Analysis section.
• Select the Failure Mode of interest:

In this example we click the Failure Mode "ACTUATOR FAILURE" and the RCM analysis screen is opened:

In this screen there are 5 guided steps involved in completing the RCM analysis for this Failure Mode: Failure effects, Criticality Assessment, Strategy Decision Tree, Maintenance task, and MEI calculation:

The 5 steps of the RCM analysis can be performed in two formats:

• In ‘Tabs’ (left to right); or
• From ‘Top to bottom’.

Note: The ‘Top to bottom’ method provides a better overview and has our preference.

You can set your preference in My Account, under Other settings:

Addressing the 7 RCM questions

The Systems - Functions and Functional Failures section allowed you to execute the ‘failure mode and effect’ analysis in line with the first three of the seven RCM questions: 

1. What are the functions and associated performance standards of the asset in its present operating context? Note: "The asset" relates to the "System" in the IMS-RCM tool.

2. In what ways does it fail to fulfill its functions? Note: These failures relate to the Functional Failures of the System.

3. What causes each functional failure? Note: These causes are typically Equipment Failure Modes.

In the RCM Analysis section we address the last four questions:

4. What happens when each failure occurs? Note: This relates to the Failure Effects, formally known as the failure scenario.

5. In what way does each failure matter? Note: This relates to the criticality of the Failure Mode in the no-maintenance scenario.

6. What can be done to predict or prevent each failure? Note: This relates to the maintenance strategy, the maintenance tasks, the economics in terms of MEI and the risk reduction (and residual risk).

7. What should be done if a suitable proactive task cannot be found? Note: This relates to the situation when the residual risk is too high and additional actions are required.

Instruction video

For more information on the execution of RCM analysis in Guides Steps see instruction video: RCM Analysis Guided Steps Episode 7 Video.