Reliability Centered Maintenance: A Historical Overview

Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) is a strategic approach to maintaining systems and equipment that was first developed in the 1960s. This method emerged from the need to ensure that complex systems, especially in aviation and manufacturing, could operate reliably while managing maintenance costs effectively. The story of RCM is not just a tale of technological advancement but also a journey through the evolution of maintenance philosophy itself. The origins of RCM can be traced back to the work of the U.S. Department of Defense, which sought a systematic way to maintain the operational readiness of military aircraft. The primary goal was to shift from a reactive maintenance approach to a more proactive and preventive strategy. Over the decades, RCM has evolved and been adapted across various industries, becoming a cornerstone in reliability engineering and maintenance practices worldwide. Its principles have been refined to address the changing needs of industries and the complexities of modern systems.