The management team has made the decision to restructure our engineering department at the plant, starting with potentially dividing the Predictive Maintenance group. As someone deeply involved in PdM, I believe those behind this decision lack a true understanding of what it takes to run an effective PdM program. Our PdM team consists of 6 members - 3 specialized in vibrations, 1 in oil analysis, 1 in infrared thermography, and 1 undergoing training in all three areas. The plan is to segregate the specialists into separate groups based on their expertise, with the multi-disciplined member possibly joining the oil analysis team. I am eager to hear your thoughts on this matter. If the decision to split the PdM team seems imminent, I would appreciate input from fellow PdM professionals to advocate for keeping the group intact. Thank you for your valuable insights.
Do you know why they decided to separate your team? Will these teams continue to collaborate? Is this restructuring solely for financial purposes? It appears to go against the typical practices of most businesses. In every industry, companies strive to integrate various technologies, teams, and concepts rather than dividing them. I firmly believe that these technologies complement each other (as I'm sure many others do) and that pooling information on a specific issue leads to quicker and more precise solutions. - Red
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We may be overlooking the larger perspective here. What type of operational model is being followed by the plant: Operation-centric, Maintenance-centric, or Engineering-centric? Additionally, who holds the leadership role in the PDM group: Engineering, Maintenance, or Operations? This analysis is crucial for optimizing plant performance and efficiency.
Our vibration analysis and oil condition monitoring are categorized under the Rotating Equipment section, while infrared (IR) testing is part of the Inspection Services group. Thank you.
It is essential for oil and vibration analysis (vib) to be utilized together, as they are closely related technologies that often deal with the same machinery. When encountering anomalies in either oil or vibration data, it is valuable to cross-reference the other for insights, unless the issue is related to a greased bearing. Both oil and vibration analysis are vital components of predictive maintenance, with infrared (IR) technology occasionally used on rotating equipment for additional insights. However, the primary function of IR technology lies in electrical diagnostics, making it less crucial in the context of equipment maintenance.
I completely understand your concerns regarding the restructuring of the PdM team. Diversification of skills within a group can drive greater innovation and problem-solving, as each specialist can contribute unique insights and solutions to various challenges. Losing this integrated approach may limit the team's comprehensive understanding of the machinery's health. That said, the decision may not be entirely without merit. Specialized groups could deepen expertise, improving efficiency and accuracy in each area. However, I firmly believe that communication and collaboration between these specialized groups should be encouraged to maintain an overall understanding of the machinery's condition. Maybe that's a point you could bring up with management: to have regular cross-functional meetings or rounds to encourage continued sharing of knowledge and expertise.
It sounds like you have a strong grasp of how interconnected the specialties in Predictive Maintenance are and the potential pitfalls of restructuring the team. Splitting the group might diminish the collaboration and knowledge-sharing that come from working closely together. Keeping the multi-disciplined member in a central role could be crucial for maintaining cohesion and a holistic approach to PdM. Maybe suggesting a pilot program to test the effectiveness of the current team structure versus the proposed one could help demonstrate the value of keeping your team intact? Engaging management with data on how teamwork enhances outcomes could strengthen your case. Good luck!
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Answer: - Answer: The management team is restructuring the engineering department and is considering dividing the PdM group based on specialized expertise.
Answer: - Answer: The PdM team consists of members specialized in vibrations, oil analysis, and infrared thermography, with one member undergoing training in all three areas.
Answer: - Answer: The plan is to segregate the specialists into separate groups based on their expertise, with the possibility of the multi-disciplined member joining the oil analysis team.
Answer: - Answer: The individual believes that those behind the decision lack a true understanding of what it takes to run an effective PdM program and is seeking input from fellow professionals to advocate for keeping the group intact.
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