Starting Preventive Maintenance: 3 Quick Wins You Can Apply This Month

ByYameen Ataturk

Introduction: Starting Preventive Maintenance Without Delay

Many teams delay starting preventive maintenance because they think it requires expensive software, consultants, or months of planning. The reality is—most of your results come from simple actions done consistently.

You don’t need perfection to begin. You need momentum.

Here are 3 practical, low-effort wins that any maintenance team can implement this month to start reducing downtime and gaining control.

Quick Win #1 for Starting Preventive Maintenance: Set Calendar-Based Reminders for Critical Assets

Start by identifying your top 5 most failure-prone or high-impact assets. These might be machines that:

  • Frequently break down
  • Are hard to repair
  • Cause delays when they fail

Use simple calendar tools like Google Calendar, Outlook, or even a wall calendar to set monthly or bi-weekly inspection reminders.

Even a quick visual check, cleaning, or lubrication can prevent larger issues. It’s not about complexity—it’s about consistency.

Quick Win #2 for Starting Preventive Maintenance: Create a Simple PM Checklist Template

Don’t overthink it. Start with a pen-and-paper checklist or a spreadsheet. Include basic but high-impact tasks such as:

  • Lubricate bearings
  • Check for leaks or wear
  • Listen for abnormal noise
  • Inspect temperature readings or pressure gauges

Roll it out for just 1–2 machines. Ask your technicians to try it for a week and provide feedback.

This builds ownership and shows your team that PM is doable without extra burden.

Quick Win #3 for Starting Preventive Maintenance: Start Logging Breakdowns (Manually or Digitally)

What gets measured gets managed.

Track each breakdown or issue on a whiteboard, logbook, or basic digital file. Record:

  • Asset name
  • Date and time
  • What failed and why (if known)

Within 30 days, you’ll start seeing patterns: recurring failures, frequently delayed repairs, or the same machine breaking down repeatedly.

That insight is the foundation of a smarter maintenance plan.

Bonus Tip: Don’t Wait for 100% Digital Adoption

Many teams believe they must fully digitize before beginning PM. That’s a myth.

PM culture starts with habit, not software.

Start with what you already have—then slowly introduce digital tools (like MaintBoard) to automate checklists, reminders, and reports.

Adoption is smoother when teams already trust the process.

Conclusion: Small Steps → Big Wins in Starting Preventive Maintenance

Starting preventive maintenance is less about tools and more about mindset. You don’t need advanced systems or perfect planning.

You need:

  • Consistent small actions
  • A few templates and reminders
  • Team involvement

Each small step builds momentum. And that’s how reliability begins.

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