ENGINEERED APPROACH TO EFFECTIVE MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT

The Assessment of Equipment Condition (AEC) Program at the Naval Ship Systems Engineering Station has been providing shore based support to assess the condition of shipboard equipment. This paper examines some of the limitations of the existing process. The paper offers an engineered approach to provide condition assessment on board ship and the shore side support necessary to maximize the effectiveness of the total ship maintenance process. The recommended approach uses existing technology and current hardware and software applications. Included in the approach is the use of microcomputer machinery work stations with expert system software, and a central Condition Maintenance Information System with the capability to provide work packages based on condition assessment and to trend the effectiveness of maintenance decisions. The paper identifies a phased implementation with a limited pilot program prior to fleet wide involvement.