Is your PM schedule full of "task clutter" that adds cost but no reliability? In this episode of Maintenance Break, Pete and Sarah dive into the critical filter needed to make sure your team's wrench time is spent only on tasks that matter.

They introduce the Three Pillars of a Solid Task: it must be Technically Feasible, Effective, and Cost-Justified. If a task fails this test, it's time to delete it or find a smarter alternative.

Listen in for:

• How to evaluate every task on your PM schedule using the Three Pillars.

• Why sometimes Run-to-Failure (RTF) is the best reliability strategy.

• The danger of the "Redesign Trap": The true story of a team that almost installed bigger auto-lube tanks, only to find the problem was a simple setting fix.

It's time to clean up your CMMS and focus on high-impact reliability. Listen now and keep those assets running!

Disclaimer: While the podcast uses AI voices, the topics and insights are grounded in real-world asset management experience.

We've all been there: a fantastic Root Cause Analysis with a brilliant list of actions... that somehow vanish. In this episode of Maintenance Break, Pete and Sarah dive into the accountability problem that kills reliability and keeps recurring issues alive.

Learn how to beat the "black hole of good intentions" by focusing on simple, visible tracking and the critical importance of the Verification step. Plus, they share a blueprint for their most powerful tool: the 15-Minute Weekly Improvement Huddle.

In this quick break, you'll learn:

• Why most improvement actions get lost (and how to stop it).

• The three steps to closing the Accountability Loop.

• How to run a high-impact, stand-up 15-minute huddle to clear roadblocks.

• The final, essential step of Standardisation that makes a fix permanent.

Stop discussing problems and start fixing them. Listen now and keep those assets running!

Disclaimer: While the podcast uses AI voices, the topics and insights are grounded in real-world asset management experience.

Everyone talks about "proactive maintenance," but what actually makes it stick? In this episode, Pete and Sarah dive into the real engine of reliability: operational discipline and culture.

We break down why routines—like a disciplined shift start meeting—are anything but boring, and why they are essential for protecting multi-million dollar mobile mining assets. Discover how small daily rituals build a proactive culture, how to fight the "good enough" trap of complacency, and why reliability is truly a team sport driven by mutual accountability between Operations and Maintenance.

🎯 Key takeaways:

• Why operational discipline is the foundation of reliability, not just a nice-to-have.

• How rituals like shift start meetings drive accountability and visibility.

• The "good enough" trap and how to empower operators to fight complacency.

• The power of collaboration: why shared risk between Ops and Maintenance builds reliability.

This episode is for anyone who’s tired of watching great maintenance strategies fail due to poor execution. Whether you're in the pit, the workshop, or the office, this will help you shift your team from reactive chaos to disciplined success.

💡 Takeaway Tip: Turn a commonly missed check on your critical fleet into a non-negotiable ritual this week.

Disclaimer: While the podcast uses AI voices, the topics and insights are grounded in real-world asset management experience.

Even the best maintenance programs face failures — what matters is how you respond. In this episode, Pete and Sarah explore how to uncover the real reasons behind breakdowns using tools like the 5-Whys. They unpack the Failure Response Model — from containment to learning — and share a real-world story of how a small oil leak turned into a costly shutdown.

💡 Takeaway tip: Next time a failure occurs, ask “why” five times. Don’t stop at the symptom — fix the system.

Disclaimer: While the podcast uses AI voices, the topics and insights are grounded in real-world asset management experience.

Reliability doesn’t just happen — it’s powered by effective work management. From planning and scheduling to execution and analysis, Pete and Sarah unpack the full life cycle of maintenance work and why each step matters. Discover common pitfalls, real-world examples, and simple ways to improve close-out and feedback.

💡 Takeaway tip: Review the last three maintenance jobs — did the close-out capture clear notes, times, and parts used? If not, that’s your first improvement step.

Disclaimer: While the podcast uses AI voices, the topics and insights are grounded in real-world asset management experience.

Strong reliability starts with smart strategies. In this episode, Pete and Sarah break down the essentials: tailoring asset strategies to context, adopting an RCM mindset, and building a proactive maintenance culture. Hear how the right approach can keep assets humming — and why discipline beats drama every time. Plus, a practical Break Tip you can apply to your next maintenance plan.💡 Takeaway tip: Pick one critical asset and ask: What are the top three ways this could fail in our environment? Then check if your current strategy actually addresses them.Disclaimer: While the podcast uses AI voices, the topics and insights are grounded in real-world asset management experience.

Most asset management improvements fail not because the ideas are bad — but because execution falls flat. In this episode, Pete and Sarah explore how to design and deliver an improvement journey that actually works. Think fundamentals first, operational discipline, and building a culture that sticks long after the consultants are gone.

We cover:

• The difference between “knowing” and “doing” in asset management

• How to design a phased improvement journey

• The role of proactive maintenance and cultural readiness

• Why discipline and alignment beat “big bang” transformations every time

💡 Takeaway tip: Before you launch your next big initiative, ask: are we truly ready to change, or are we just ticking a box?

Disclaimer: While the podcast uses AI voices, the topics and insights are grounded in real-world asset management experience.

Ever sat through an improvement project that sounded great in theory… then fizzled out on the shop floor? In this episode, Pete and Sarah break down how to turn asset management ideas into real, lasting results. From assessing your current state to spotting value gaps, prioritising what to fix first, and keeping discipline alive, this is your roadmap for making change stick.

We cover:

• Why starting with the fundamentals matters more than chasing “shiny” solutions

• How to spot and fix the biggest value leaks

• The role of structured problem-solving in getting traction

• The secret to turning short-term wins into long-term gains

💡 Takeaway tip: Don’t try to fix everything at once. Pick the one gap that’s hurting most — and start there.

Disclaimer: While the podcast uses AI voices, the topics and insights are grounded in real-world asset management experience.