Difference Between Preventive Maintenance vs Predictive Maintenance


There are two common types of maintenance: predictive and preventive. Because they are somewhat similar, people tend to question the difference between the two. This helpful article helps define the difference between preventive and predictive maintenance and explains when your organization should be using one over the other.

What is Preventive Maintenance?

Preventive maintenance is a planned or scheduled maintenance, performed even when machines or the systems are in complete functional mode, to prevent any breakdowns or issues from occurring in the future. Basically, it is very similar to a regular check-up. While its main purpose is to prevent breakdowns, using preventive maintenance software also helps extend the lifespan of the machine or asset, and increase efficiency and productivity.

But again, it’s not as simple as it sounds. There are a lot of complications that come with preventive maintenance management, the first being the cost: we can’t put our entire budget into it, right? Making smart and strategic decisions about which assets need maintenance and when is extremely important. That way, you can avoid unnecessary or useless maintenance and reduce costs.

What is Predictive Maintenance?

Predictive maintenance (otherwise known as condition-based maintenance) differs from preventive maintenance in the sense that it requires predetermined and preset conditions. Variances from the conditions, identified during continuous or routine measurements, provide the information needed to perform any maintenance required to avoid equipment failures or to coordinate repairs with scheduled maintenance, thus reducing costs.

A successful predictive maintenance program depends upon measurement and analysis. Although the investment in the case of predictive analysis can be higher compared to preventive maintenance, costs can be reduced by minimizing unnecessary maintenance. Also, the predictive maintenance process often identifies maintenance that may be required in the near future allowing it to be scheduled along with routine maintenance.

Choose The Right Maintenance Program

Developing and building a maintenance program to avoid unnecessary maintenance and to keep a condition log of the asset is important. Tools like computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) can help you stick to and develop a maintenance strategy that will help:

  • Determine the right time for maintenance
  • Monitor the state of the asset to determine if maintenance is required
  • Maintain costs as low as possible while complying with the timelines and budgets of your processes

How to Get Started

Our industry leading maintenance management software offers powerful features for both preventive and predictive maintenance. Learn more about our CMMS software today!