While emerging technologies like AI, digitalization, and smart sensors promise to revolutionize maintenance practices, organisations must first establish robust reliability fundamentals.  

Without a strong foundation in basic maintenance processes, preventive maintenance compliance, and reliability-centered strategies, new technologies may actually distract from critical improvement areas.  

The key indicators of technological readiness include consistent execution of planned maintenance work, established reliability metrics, standardized maintenance procedures, and trained maintenance personnel working within well-defined processes.  

Remember: reliable assets and effective maintenance practices are driven by people executing work through proven processes - technology simply enables and enhances these fundamentals."

Christer, known as the Godfather of Reliability, is the brains behind IDCON INC, a global authority on Reliability and Maintenance. His journey started in the Swedish merchant marine, where he laid the foundation for his Results-Oriented Reliability and Maintenance Management concept. Over the last five decades, he’s worn many hats—mechanic, engineer, manager, consultant, educator, philosopher, reliability guru, and company leader.