Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional (CMRP) Practice Exam

What is a key characteristic of proactive maintenance?

1. It only addresses failures after they occur

2. It focuses on minimizing costs at the expense of safety

3. It includes routine preventive and predictive activities

4. It relies solely on operator intuition

The correct answer is: It includes routine preventive and predictive activities

A key characteristic of proactive maintenance is its comprehensive approach that includes both routine preventive and predictive activities. This strategy is designed to anticipate and mitigate the potential for equipment failures before they happen, rather than reacting to them after the fact. Preventive maintenance involves scheduled tasks performed to maintain equipment in optimal working condition, while predictive maintenance uses data-driven techniques such as condition monitoring to predict when maintenance should occur. This proactive approach ultimately leads to reduced downtime, enhanced equipment reliability, and lower overall maintenance costs, as potential issues are addressed before they escalate into significant problems. By focusing on these systematic activities, organizations can improve operational efficiency and prolong the lifespan of their assets. The other options do not align with the principles of proactive maintenance; for instance, addressing failures only after they occur is reactive maintenance, focusing on minimizing costs at the expense of safety ignores safety standards, and relying solely on operator intuition lacks the systematic approach that is essential in proactive strategies.