Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM)

RCM is a logical, structured process used to determine the optimal failure management strategies for any system, based upon system reliability characteristics and the intended operating context. RCM defines what must be done for a system to achieve the desired levels of safety, operational readiness, and environmental soundness at best cost. RCM is a continuous process which requires sustainment throughout the life cycle of a system. RCM utilizes data from the results achieved and feeds this data back to improve design and future maintenance. It is based on the following precepts:

• The objective of maintenance is to preserve an item's function(s).  RCM seeks to preserve a desired level of system or equipment functionality.
• The RCM process is a valuable life cycle management tool and should be applied from design through disposal.
• RCM seeks to manage the consequences of failure - not to prevent all failures.
• RCM identifies the most technically appropriate and effective maintenance task and/or default strategy.
• RCM is driven first by safety. When safety (or a similarly critical consideration) is not an issue, maintenance must be justified on the ability to complete the mission and finally, on economic grounds.
• RCM acknowledges design limitations and the operational environment. At best, maintenance can sustain the inherent level of reliability within the operating context over the life of an item.

Select an image for Service-specific RCM guidance and information.