December 16, 2022

CMMS New Year's Resolutions

It's that time of year again. Time to make those New Year's resolutions. You may be thinking, "Does anyone still do that?" Apparently so, since you'll see news broadcasts about this practice that has been around for thousands of years according to an article at History.com. The tradition of making resolutions has altered throughout the centuries. Instead of vowing something to a deity, we're down to losing weight, getting more exercise, and other common resolutions. You might be wondering what I mean by CMMS New Year's resolutions. Before I delve into that, let's speak more about this annual 'event.'

I don't make resolutions. If I decide to improve in an area of my life, I'll start when I make the decision. Why wait for January first to start? For instance, if I plan to finish editing a manuscript, I'd start immediately. I would wait. Doing so means I'm well into the year before I finish. Why put off for days or months when you can start now?

An interesting article in Forbes (yes, they're more than just business talk), shows a low percentage of people who keep their resolutions. The article also offers helpful advice on how to reach your resolution goals. While I'm not dismissing the suggestions, I'd like to offer my one-word piece of advice. Discipline. Whether you want to stop smoking, spend more time with family or make any other positive change in your life, you need discipline. Think about what's been discussed. Start immediately. Get your mindset geared toward the positive and don't wait to open a fresh calendar. Decide, act, and stay determined you're going to succeed no matter what month of the year you're in.

Discipline is the key. I don't wait until the first of the year to practice more on martial arts in order to mid-term test at the end of February. I started increasing my workouts in the early fall.

However, people still make resolutions both for personal improvements and in their business lives.

Let's look at four areas of resolutions. Personal, business, preventive maintenance, and resolutions related to a computerized maintenance management system.

Personal resolutions

Besides the common resolutions already mentioned, what others might be made? I asked around the office and was given several.

1. To brush/floss teeth per the dentist's recommendation. (My response was a resolution not to ask this person to smile too often until this is accomplished.)

2. To fill out that deer tag purchased. (With the luck the person had the last time out, I'm sure the wildlife is safe.)

3. To get books published again. Okay, that one is mine, and it isn't an exception to my not making resolutions. The reason is that I made this decision earlier in the spring. I've spent most of the year preparing those books (editing, rewriting scenes, etc.) for submission.

Business resolutions

I'll make an exception to the 'why don't you start now' suggestion when it comes to business-related decisions. Hopefully, strategies are in place, laying out a schedule of goals. In all likelihood, the schedules have specific dates based on several variables that just can't be adjusted except in rare cases. However, there are certain resolutions that could be made regarding general operations.

1. Add new employees.

2. Invest X amount in new areas of operation. Diversifying.

3. Introduction of a new product/service or an upgrade to the current.

4. Increase productivity across the board.

5. Reduce costs across the board (or maybe in a specific department).

Preventive resolutions

These could relate to personal resolutions (see the teeth brushing/flossing and exercise points). It also could mean changing a business mindset from reactive maintenance (only conducting maintenance when equipment/assets fail or break down), to a preventive mindset.

This is a contrast I don't understand. One conducts preventive maintenance in the home life but won't consider it at work. Think of this simple example – You don't change the oil in your car until you start hearing grinding noises. Of course, you would wait that long. So, why would you let equipment that operates 8-24 per day go without routine inspection lubrication, and/or replacement parts? Let's look at a few resolutions for home and work.

1. Vacuum/dust more often

2. Better vehicle preventive maintenance.

3. Scheduling home/HVAC inspections

4. Scheduling PMs at work (Again, don't wait until January first to adopt these measures.

CMMS resolutions

For companies using a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS)for their maintenance/purchasing departments, here is a list of resolutions you might adopt.

1. Have the quantity listed in the software match what's on the shelf. This could have a better chance of success if you institute an issue/return policy in the CMMS. Also, use the system for a physical count, generating count sheets, and reconciling totals.

2. Create and print new barcoding labels.

3. Schedule more training sessions for users. Training options include in-house, on-site, and online.

4. Have more people log in and complete their own work orders.

5. Add all equipment and inventory to the system.

6. Have a complete breakdown of equipment hierarchy recorded in the system.

7. Learn shortcuts and data entry tips.

8. Use blanket purchase orders to save time and money.

9. Don't delay operations but call support for questions.

10. Discover more uses for the CMMS.

As mentioned, I don't make New Year's resolutions. Instead, I make During-the- Year resolutions. However, resolutions to start on January first continue to be made. If you do, remember discipline is the key to success.

One of the resolutions you need to follow through on is if you're considering a CMMS for your company, plan what you want from it, then call Mapcon Technologies. 800-922-4336 Ask for details and a free demonstration of a world-class CMMS.

Mapcon will help make your maintenance resolutions come true!