A multi-criteria decision-aiding model using PROMETHEE III for preventive maintenance planning under uncertain conditions

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to develop a model that permits more rational planning for preventive maintenance, by controlling failures in the specific context of equipment breakdown. Thus not only the cost and reliability parameters are dealt with, but also the peculiarities of different contexts in which maintenance activities occur. Furthermore, it aims to include Bayesian methodology in the procedure to overcome main difficulties in failure data. Design/methodology/approach - A multi-criteria decision-aiding model capable of overcoming the two main difficulties related to preventive maintenance: establishing a replacement periodicity based on more than one criterion, and the ability to provide a solution in uncertainties situations, has been developed from adaptation of classical models. This model also uses Bayesian elements to address uncertainties during equipment failures. Findings - The paper finds that in a preventive maintenance planning, as a multi-criteria decision problem, different types of uncertainties may be identified, which may be categorized as external uncertainties and internal uncertainties. In the proposed model a division of procedures has been established, dealing with external uncertainties first, then the internal uncertainties related to the structure of the problem and analysis of the decision are addressed using the multi-criteria decision-making method PROMETHEE III that allows the amplification of the notion of indifference. In this way, a suitable structure to connect two types of uncertainties was structured. Practical implications - The model will assist the decision-maker in preventive maintenance planning to take uncertainties into account, seeing the alternatives that are closest, through an amplification of the notion of indifference provided by PROMETHEE III. Furthermore, in practice the proposed model have an impact on maintenance cost and reliability of production plant. Originality/value - This paper proposes a multi-criteria decision-aiding model capable of overcoming the two main difficulties related to preventive maintenance: establishing a replacement periodicity based on more than one criterion; and the ability to provide a solution even when failure data are unavailable or incomplete.