Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional (CMRP) Practice Exam

What is the first principle of Reliability Centered Maintenance?

1. Identify failure modes

2. Prioritize function needs

3. Preserve system function

4. Select applicable tasks

The correct answer is: Preserve system function

The first principle of Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) is to preserve system function. This principle focuses on understanding the essential functions that a system must perform to meet the needs of its users and stakeholders. By prioritizing the preservation of these functions, maintenance strategies can be developed that ensure systems remain operational and effective over time. In RCM, it is vital to recognize that maintenance is not merely about preventing failures but about enabling systems to continue providing their intended operational capabilities. Understanding what functions are critical helps organizations develop a systematic approach to maintenance that aligns with their operational goals. This foundational principle sets the stage for subsequent steps, such as identifying failure modes, prioritizing function needs, and selecting applicable tasks, which are all essential in the broader context of maintaining system reliability.