AWWA CSC91015

This paper, which discusses how water utilities can develop a computerized maintenance management system, is organized into three sections. The first identifies some of the potential benefits of a computerized maintenance management system. The second section discusses the key elements of a computer system: work request, planning and scheduling, work tracking, decision oriented reporting, materials management, and cost accounting. The final section presents a plan for the successful implementation of a computerized system. Implementation is a five step process: establish maintenance objectives, document the current situation, define system requirements, develop or purchase software, and implement and evaluate. There are many commercial maintenance management systems, ranging from simple, single-purpose systems to very sophisticated integrated systems. If an off-the-shelf system does not meet the needs of a utility, a custom system can be developed. The cost depends primarily on the complexity of the system.