Prescriptive Maintenance explained

With so many different terms and acronyms used within the asset maintenance and management field, it is sometimes hard to keep up! Prescriptive Maintenance is a relatively new term; here we provide a very simple definition compared compared to other terms with which it could be confused.

Condition monitoring

To understand how Prescriptive Maintenance fits in the larger picture, let’s take a step back to look first at Condition Monitoring.

Condition Monitoring is the process of monitoring a parameter of conditions in equipment in order to identify a significant change which is indicative of a developing possible failure.

Condition Monitoring can be performed using skilled operatives or by using specialised equipment.

Predictive maintenance

Predictive Maintenance is designed to measure the condition of equipment by performing periodic (offline) or continuous (online) monitoring of particular components and their failure characteristics. The  predicted failure triggers a maintenance activity that, when completed, should bring the equipment back to its specified condition, in the shortest time.

Prescriptive maintenance

Predictive Maintenance and Prescriptive Maintenance are two ways of using the Condition Monitoring data to decide when to carry out maintenance before the failure point.

Predictive Maintenance, historically, has used human skills to analyse the data and determine the maintenance required. Prescriptive Maintenance uses an Artificial Intelligence Analytical Engine to collect and analyse a far greater amount of data about an equipment’s condition and uses this to predict when the failure will occur, what maintenance is required and what the likely outcome will be.

understanding terminology

Condition Monitoring (C.M.), Predictive Maintenance (Pd.M.) and Prescriptive Maintenance (Ps.M.) can mean different things to different people. Understanding some definitions and terminology will help to determine the best way to use them and which will be the most suitable for your equipment and plant.

Download our new white paper - Understanding Terminology, through our exclusive Members’ Area, to find out more about the differences and how each can benefit you.