Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional (CMRP) Practice Exam

Is proactive maintenance defined as unscheduled work?

1. Yes, always

2. No, it excludes unscheduled work

3. Only in emergency situations

4. It can include any type of work

The correct answer is: No, it excludes unscheduled work

Proactive maintenance is characterized by its focus on preventing failures before they happen rather than reacting to failures after they occur. This type of maintenance is planned and scheduled based on predictive analytics, condition monitoring, and historical performance data. Because proactive maintenance aims to avoid unexpected downtime and minimize the impact of potential failures, it inherently excludes unscheduled work, which is typically reactive and unplanned. Scheduled tasks, such as regular inspections, preventative maintenance, and replacement of parts at predetermined intervals, are all integral aspects of proactive maintenance. These activities are designed to maintain equipment in optimal condition and are prearranged to minimize disruption to operations. Unscheduled work, in contrast, often arises from unexpected breakdowns or failures that were not anticipated. This reactive nature can lead to increased costs, extended downtimes, and potential impacts on overall productivity. Thus, the essence of proactive maintenance lies in its planned and predictive approach, distinctly separating it from unscheduled or reactive maintenance tasks.