Planning an Effective Oil Analysis Program

It is time to begin a new oil analysis program or revamp your current oil analysis program. The first step – clearly define the measurable goals. Where is the program today, and how specifically will it get better. Where exactly is the end zone?

Goals and Objectives

·   Clearly define your goals and do not overload the tasks

·   The goals and objectives MUST be measurable

·   Investigate costs and define the annual budget

·   Estimate the annual return on investment of the successful implementation

·   Monitor and measure progress at regular intervals (once per quarter)

·   Use appropriate software and IT to minimize hours of busy work to document progress and create reports

·   Review the program for improvements every 12 months

The goals of any oil analysis program include the following:

·   Improve equipment reliability

·   Extend longevity of equipment and oil

·   Control costs

Dig deeper and set specific goals and define the end zone:

·   Reduce unplanned downtime: Target a 15% reduction in equipment breakdown incidents within the next twelve months by implementing enhanced predictive maintenance strategies and data-driven analysis.

·   Optimize oil usage: Achieve a 10% extension in oil drain intervals by utilizing regular oil analysis and adopting advanced filtration technologies, resulting in both cost savings and reduced environmental impact.

·   Lower maintenance costs: Set a benchmark to decrease overall maintenance expenses by 8% year-over-year, through strategic part sourcing, staff training, and process optimization.

·   Increase equipment reliability: Strive for an average equipment availability rate of 98% or higher by the end of the fiscal year, supported by standardized inspection routines and responsive troubleshooting protocols.

By articulating such precise and quantifiable goals, progress becomes easier to track, successes more apparent, and opportunities for further improvement more readily identified. The goals that you set may be different from the examples above. However, it is important that you define specific goals. Please take time to set goals or update your goals to be measurable and achievable, with realistic expectations. In the near future we will continue with the next segment of this blog.