Thesis (MEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Most industries are being forced to operate at lower costs while delivering more outputs and ensuring a safe working environment. An opportunity to achieve this for asset intensive industries lies within the complex and integrated field of Physical Asset Management (PAM). This study is specifically concerned with the maintenance subset of PAM, more specifically, the proactive maintenance strategy. A field known as prognostics emerges when combining two maintenance tactics, namely predictive and preventative maintenance. Prognostics uses historical failure data from preventative maintenance and variable readings used in predictive maintenance to estimate asset reliability. Reliability is estimated using statistical models commonly known as reliability models or survival models. Variable readings used must describe or portray the health of the assets considered and are called covariates. A problem that exists in the maintenance subset of PAM is concerned with the data needed for the survival models. The historical failure data is difficult to come by or non-existent in industry and the covariate data is often noisy and inaccurate. This poses a problem when wanting to make important maintenance decisions because the prognostics survival models require both the historical failure data and the covariate data. The covariate data is generally acquired by applying Condition Monitoring (CM) to assets, monitoring characteristics reflecting the asset’s health. Prognostics can aid with maintenance decisions because once the equipment reliability has been estimated, it is possible to predict the time that an asset can still operate at its prescribed level of performance. This time of operation, which the asset can still operate, is more commonly known as its residual life (RL). To overcome this problem, six of the most popular survival models found in literature, namely the Accelerated Failure Time Model (AFTM), Additive Hazards Model (AHM), Proportional Covariate Model (PCM), Proportional Hazards Model (PHM), Proportional Odds Model (POM) and the Prentice, Williams and Peterson (PWP), are considered and populated with historical failure data and the covariate data elicited from people. The people whom the data is obtained from are considered as experts in the field this study is conducted in. Also, the data is subjective because each expert has their own opinions and judgement concerning the assets in this study. The purpose of this study is, thus, to investigate whether subjective data can be used to populate survival models, therefore, allowing RL predictions of the assets considered. A guideline consisting of five steps that aid with what system variables to consider as covariates, which people can be selected as experts and selecting the most appropriate survival model, is created and presented. Following the guideline, a case study is conducted on power transformers at an organization in South Africa. Results from the case study reveal that the PCM is the most appropriate survival model reviewed. Using the PCM, RL predictions are made after the models are populated with subjective data and objective industry standard data. The results indicate that the subjective data yielded the same general trends but less conservative estimates when compared to industry standard data. Subjective data can, therefore, be used to populate survival models but this is inherently risky because of the less conservative results noted from this study. This study is based on a single case study, it does prove that it is possible to use the subjective data as an alternative to objective data. It is possible, however, that this characteristic does not apply for other asset types. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die meerderheid nywerhede word onder geweldige druk geplaas om laer bedryfskostes te handhaaf en ter selfde tyd word dit van hulle verwag om hul uitsette te vermeerder en ´n veilige werksomgewing te bied. Bate intensiewenywerhede het ´n geleentheid om hierdie druk te verlig deur gebruik te maak van ´n komplekse en geïntegreerde veld bekend as Fisiese Batebestuur (FB). Hierdie studie is gefokus op die instandhouding onderafdeling van FB, spesifiek die proaktiewe instandhoudingsstrategie. Twee proaktiewe instandhoudingstaktieke, naamlik voorspellende en voorkomende instandhoudingtaktieke, word saamgesmelt en vorm ´n veld bekend as prognostiek. Prognostiek gebruik historiese falingdata van voorkomende instandhouding en veranderlike aflesings vanaf toestandmoniteering toeristing gebruik in voorspellende instandhouding om bate batroubarheid te bereken. Hierdie betroubaarheid word bereken deur gebruik te maak van statistiese modelle bekend as oorlewingsmodelle. Een van die probleme wat voorkom in die instandhouding onderafdeling van FB het te doen met die beskikbaarheid van die data wat benodig word vir die oorlewingsmodelle. Historiese falingdata is selde beskikbaar of bestaan glad nie en die toestandsmoniteering data is dikwels onakuraat. Prognostiek word gebruik om belangrikke instandhoudingsbesluite te motiveer, dus is die beskikbaarheid en betroubaarheid van die nodige data van belange. Om hierdie struikelblok te oorkom bestudeer hierdie studie die gebruik van subjektiewe data bekom vanaf deskundiges in prognostieke oorlewingsmodelle. Die doel van hierdie studie is dus om vas te stel of subjektiewe data gebruik kan word in prognostieke oorlewingsmodelle. Ses oorlewingsmodelle wat gereeld voorkom in literatuur word nagesien in hierdie studie, die modelle sluit in die “Accelerated Failure Time Model” (AFTM), “ Additive Hazards Model” (AHM), “Proportional Covariate Model” (PCM) , “Proportional Hazards Model” (PHM), “Proportional Odds Model” (POM) en die “Prentice Williams and Peterson” (PWP) model. Hierdie modelle word aangevul deur die subjektiewe data wat onttrek is van deskundiges in ´n sekere gebied, vir hierdie studie is die gebied krag transformators. Met gebruik van hierdie modelle kan die betroubaarheid van die betrokke toerusting bereken word. Sodra die betroubaarheid bereken is kan die oorblywende lewe van die toerusting voorspel word. Die oorblywendelewe is die tyd wat ´n stuk toerusting nog moontlik kan werk sonder om te faal. Dit is belangrik omdat nodige instandhoudingsbesluite geneem moet word. Hierdie studie stel ´n metode voor vir die uitvoer van die navorsing en soortgelyke studies. Die metode dui vyf stappe aan wat voorstel watter veranderlikes om te gebruik as kovariate in die oorlewingsmodelle, watter mense as deskundiges gekies kan word, en hoe om die mees toepasslikke oorlewingsmodelle te kies. Nadat hierdie metode voorgestel is word dit toegepas op krag transformators in ´n gevallestudie wat plaasgevind het in Suid Afrika. Vir die gevallestudie is die PCM die meestoepaslikke oorlewingsmodel. Die oorblywende lewe voorspellings wat die metode opgelewer het is met die voorspellings gebaseer op die industriestandaard data vergelyk. Die resultate dui aan dat deskundiges minder konserwatiewe beramings lewer. Dus kan die subjektiewe data gebruik word in oorlewingsmodelle maar die beramings is minder konserwatief en daarom van natuur meer riskant. Hierdie studie se gevolgtrekkings is gebaseer op ´n enkele gevallestudie. Dit is dus moontlik dat die subjektiewe data dalk nie as ´n alternatief gebruik kan word met ander tipes toerusting nie.

Thesis (MEng)-- Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Asset Management initiatives suffer many barriers in implementation which hinder their influence and sustainability. One of these barriers is the lack of buy-in from all levels in the organisation, due to a lack of understanding of the perceived benefits of Asset Management. The relationship between throughput and the maturity of Asset Management implementation is usually felt throughout the organisation, but is difficult to prove or quantify. Furthermore, it is di cult to isolate the effects of maintenance using traditional methods. Organisational alignment in an Asset Management project is achieved by aligning employees' views on what the deficient areas in the organisation are, and managing their expectations in what the perceived benefit of a good application of Asset Management would bring forth. However, the lack of a transparent method to convey the significance of critical areas in the system, and a clear way to communicate these problems creates a barrier in implementation. Without empirical evidence people rely on argumentative opinions to uncover problems, which tends to create friction as opinions from various factions may differ. Typically, these initiatives are constrained by available resources, and the allocation of resources to the correct areas is thus vital. In order for Asset Management initiatives to be successful there first needs to be alignment in execution through a clear understanding of which assets are critical, so that resources can be allocated effectively. In this study, this problem is thoroughly examined and solutions are sought in literature. A method is sought which seeks to isolate the effects of the maintenance function in an operation and uncover critical areas. A study is performed on methods which are typically used to create such understanding, which are shown to have shortcomings that limit their applicability. Thus a new methodology utilising simulation is created in order to overcome these problems. The methodology is validated through a case study, where it is shown that the simulation, in the context of the methodology, is highly beneficial to uncovering critical areas and achieving organisational alignment through communication of results. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Fisiese bate bestuursinitiatiewe het verskeie tekortkominge in hulle implementering wat hulle invloed en volhoubaarheid verhinder. Een van hierdie hindernisse is die tekort aan ondersteuning van alle vlakke in die organisasie, wat as gevolg van 'n gebrek aan begrip van die voordele van bate bestuur voorkom. Die verhouding tussen die volwassenheid van batebestuur en produksie deurset word gewoonlik reg deur die organisasie gevoel, maar hierdie verhouding is moeilik om te bewys of te kwantifiseer. Verder is dit moeilik om met huidige methodes die gevolge van instandhouding te isoleer, en dus deeglik te begryp. Organisatoriese aanpassing by `n bate bestuursprojek word bereik deur werknemers se siening te belyn oor wat die gebrekkige areas is, en om hulle verwagtinge te bestuur oor die voordele wat `n goeie bate bestuursprojek kan voortbring. Daar is `n gebrek aan metodes om in `n deursigtige wyse die kritieke areas aan te dui en te komunikeer aan werknemers. Dit skep `n hindernis in die uitvoer van projekte en, in die afwesigheid van empiriese bewyse van probleme, is werknemers afhanklik van argumentatiewe menings om probleme te ontbloot, en die menings van verskeie rolspelers kan verskil. Enige inisiatiewe is tipies beperk deur die beskikbaarheid van hulpbronne daarvoor, en `n effektiewe toedeling van beskikbare hulpbronne is dus noodsaaklik. Om `n suksesvolle batebestuursprojek uit te voer, moet daar eers `n duidelike begrip en ooreenstemming wees oor wat die verskeie kritieke areas is wat die meeste aandag verlang, sodat hulpbronne doeltreffend toegeken kan word. In die studie word hierdie probleem deeglik ondersoek deur oplossings na te vors in die literatuur. `n Metode is gesoek wat daarop gemik is om die gevolge van instandhouding te isoleer in `n produksiestelsel en kritiese areas te ontbloot. `n Studie is uitgevoer op metodes wat gewoonlik gebruik word om sodanige analises uit te voer, en dit word gewys dat huidige metodes terkortkominge het wat hulle toepaslikheid beperk. Dus is `n nuwe metode geskep wat gebruik maak van simulasie om hierdie probleme te oorkom. Die metode is gevalideer deur om `n gevallestudie uit te voer, waar dit bevestig is dat die metode voordelig is om op `n deursigtige wyse kritiese areas te ontbloot en om organisatoriese belyning te bewerkstellig deur effektiewe kommunikasie van die resultate.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2006. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The change management approach followed during the installation of a new maintenance work management process (termed SAMI Stage1) in Sasol Synfuels is assessed. A framework and a set of change management principles are derived from literature relevant to the topic and are used as a basis to assess the implemented change. The concept of physical asset management is also reviewed and incorporated into the overall framework. The assessment reveals the following positive aspects of the change management process followed: • Excellent executive sponsorship throughout the implementation of SAMI Stage 1. • The use of one team of Sasol Synfuels personnel to develop the strategic plan and another team to perform the design of the new maintenance work management process has resulted in a core group of change advocates within Sasol Synfuels. • Sasol Synfuels business units were declared SAM I Stage 1 competent, which included the achievement of outcome indicators as well as behavioural changes. • The SAMI Stage 1 change is reinforced through further changes such as SAMI Stage 2, SAM PI (production initiative), as well as the creation of a new department, OPEX, to facilitate operational excellence within Sasol Synfuels. • The overall SAMI roadmap, commencing with maintenance work management, is found to be an effective vehicle to achieve the future integrated state of asset management. However, the following negative aspects of the implemented change are also highlighted: • The concept of physical asset management as the ultimate objective of the SAMI process was inadequately explained and coached to the organisation. Although maintenance work management efficiency has improved, the organisation has not made the mental transition from a cost centre mentality to a profit centre mentality. • Production personnel were initially excluded to a large extent, since SAM I Stage 1 was installed as a predominantly maintenance-focussed initiative. However, production personnel are required to play a large role in the maintenance work management process and their initial exclusion required significant stakeholder management during the advanced stages of the change. • There have not been significant changes to the recognition and reward systems in Sasol Synfuels in order to enhance the integration of specifically the maintenance and production functions. The organisation is thus still very much focused on functional excellence as opposed to the integrated concept of asset management. The effectiveness of installing a maintenance work management process first and then addressing equipment failures is also reviewed. It is concluded that this approach of firstly establishing discipline in the execution of maintenance work is indeed a viable approach. However, the overall objective of asset management must be considered from the onset and the organisation must be continuously aligned to that objective. Based on the above observations, recommendations are made on futu re Sasol implementations of maintenance work management processes. In essence there should be more focus on the concept of physical asset management before and during such an implementation. It is also recommended that a post SAM I Stage 1 project analysis should be performed (using appropriate questionnaires andlor interviews) to assess the positive and negative aspects as encountered by the organisation. These learning pOints should be documented and used for future, similar interventions. It should also be established whether the changes in behaviour and outcome are due to predominantly compliance to the work management process, or whether there is significant commitment to the process. Commitment to the process by the majority of the organisation is required to ensure sustainability there of. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die benadering soos gevolg ten opsigte van veranderingsbestuur gedurende die implementering van 'n nuwe instandhoudingswerk bestuursproses in Sasol Synfuels (genaamd SAM I Fase 1), word ondersoek. 'n Raamwerk en 'n stel beginsels met betrekking tot veranderingsbestuur word uit die relevante nagevorste literatuur ontwikkel en word gebruik as 'n basis waarteen die geimplementeerde verandering geevalueer word. Die beginsel van fisiese batebestuur word ook ondersoek en in die oorhoofse raamwerk geinkorporeer. Die volgende positiewe aspekte van die veranderingsbestuur proses wat gevolg was, word deur die ondersoek openbaar: • Uitstekende borgskap deur uitvoerende bestuur tydens die verloop van die implementering van SAMI Fase 1. • Die gebruik van een span Sasol Synfuels personeel om die strategiese plan te ontwikkel en 'n ander span om die ontwerp van die nuwe instandhoudingswerk bestuursproses te behartig, het gelei tot die ontstaan van 'n kern groep in die organisasie wat die verandering ondersteun. • Besigheidseenhede in Sasol Synfuels is SAM I Fase 1 bedrewe verklaar, wat die behaling van uitkomsindikators, sowel as gedragsveranderinge insluit. • Die SAMI Fase 1 verandering word versterk deur verdere veranderings soos SAMI Fase 2, SAMPI (produksie inisiatief), sowel as die daarstelling van 'n nuwe afdeling, OPEX, om operasionele uitnemendheid in Sasol Synfuels te fasiliteer. • Die algehele SAMI proses, beginnende met die bestuur van instandhoudingswerk, is effektief bevind om die toekomstige, geintegreerde toestand van batebestuur te verwesenlik. Die volgende negatiewe aspekte van die geimplementeerde verandering word egter ook uitgelig: • Die beginsel dat fisiese batebestuur die uiteindelike doelwit van die SAMI proses is, was nie voldoende verduidelik en oorgedra aan die organisasie nie, Alhoewel die effektiwiteit van instandhoudingswerk bestuur verbeter het, het die organisasie nie die paradigma skuif gemaak van 'n kostegesentreerde denkwyse na 'n winsgesentreerde denkwyse nie. • Aanvanklik was produksiepersoneel grootliks uitgesluit uit die proses, aangesien SAMI Fase 1 hoofsaaklik as 'n instandhoudingsinisiatief aangepak is. Produksiepersoneel het egter 'n groot rol om te speel in die instandhoudingswerk bestuursproses en hulle aanvanklike uitsluiting het gelei tot aansienlike bestuur van belanghebbendes gedurende die gevorderde stadiums van die verandering. • Daar is nog nie betekenisvolle veranderinge gemaak aan die vergoedings -en erkenningssisteme in Sasol Synfuels om sodoende die integrasie van spesifiek die instandhouding en produksiefunksies te bevorder nie. Daar is dus nog steeds 'n sterk fokus in die organisasie op funksionele uitnemendheid in teenstelling met die geintegreerde beginsel van batebestuur. Daar word ook gekyk na hoe effektief dit is om eers 'n instandhoudingswerk bestuursproses te installeer voordat toerustingfalings ondersoek word. Die gevolgtrekking word gemaak dat hierdie benadering om eers dissipline in die uitvoering van instandhoudingswerk daar te stel, inderdaad 'n haalbare benadering is. Die oorhoofse doelwit van batebestuur moet egter vanaf die begin oorweeg word en die organisasie moet gedurig op koers gehou word rakende daardie oogmerk. Voorstelle, gegrond op bogenoemde waarnemings, word gemaak vir die toekomstige implementering van instandhoudingswerk bestuursprosesse in Sasol. In wese moet daar meer gefokus word op die beginsel van batebestuur voor en gedurende so 'n implementering. Daar word ook aanbeveel dat 'n nabetragting gehou word rondom die implementering van SAMI Fase 1 (met behulp van gepaste vraelyste en/of onderhoude) om die positiewe en negatiewe aspekte, soos ondervind is deur die organisasie, te evalueer. Hierdie inligting moet dan gedokumenteer word en gebruik word vir toekomstige, soortgelyke intervensies. Daar moet ook bepaal word of die verandering in gedrag en resultate die gevolg is van oorwegend die navolging van die proses of toewyding aan die proses. Die meerderheid van die organisasie moet toegewyd wees aan die proses om volhoubaarheid te verseker.

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Business-to-business services relating to physical asset management are playing an increasingly important role in industry. This is in the midst of the current pressures which asset owning organisations are experiencing in realising optimal value from their assets. The pursuit of understanding and complying with asset management standards such as ISO 55000 as well as the potential value to be gained from successful and sustainable business relationships contributes towards the importance of these services. The problem is that there is little or no evidence regarding the critical success factors for collaborating successfully in asset management services. The study identi es these critical success factors and demonstrates how the factors can di er between role players, industries, global regions and service types. A decision support model is developed providing the asset management community with access to the critical success factors for decision-making purposes. Based on the synthesis from internationally conducted Delphi- and survey studies it is found that the continued and sustained commitment from the asset owning organisation's senior management in support of the asset management service is the most critical factor for a successful asset management service partnership. Open and e ective communication is also highlighted as being critical, while it is important to have a process in place to improve the service continuously. Laboratory and eld testing con rm the validity of the decision support model for facilitating the decision-making process to improve asset management services, and in addition it also formalises the commercial and contracting processes relating to these services. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Besigheid-tot-besigheidsdienste met betrekking tot siese batebestuur speel 'n toenemende belangrike rol in die industrie. Dit is te midde van die druk wat batebesittende organisasies tans ondervind om optimale waarde uit hul siese bates te verkry. Die strewe na beter begrip en om te voldoen aan batebestuurstandaarde soos ISO 55000, asook die potensiële waarde wat verkry kan word uit suksesvolle en volhoubare besigheidheidsvennootskappe, dra by tot die belangrikheid van hierdie dienste. Die probleem is daar bestaan min of geen bewyse rakende die kritiese suksesfaktore vir suksesvolle samewerking in batebestuurdienste. Die studie identi seer die kritiese suksesfaktore en toon aan hoe hierdie faktore kan verskil tussen rolspelers, industrieë, wêreldstreke en dienstipes. 'n Besluitnemingsmodel is ontwikkel wat die batebestuurgemeenskap toegang gee tot die kritiese suksesfaktore vir besluitnemingsdoeleindes. Gebaseeer op die sintese van internasionale Delphi- en opnamestudies is daar bevind dat die mees kritieke faktor vir 'n suksesvolle vennootskap in batebestuurdienste die voortgesette en volgehoue toewyding deur die bate-besittende organisasie se senior bestuur, ter ondersteuning van die batebestuurdiens, is. Doeltre ende en openhartige kommunikasie is ook uitgewys as krities, terwyl dit belangrik is om 'n proses te volg om die diens voortdurend te verbeter. Laboratorium- en praktyk toetsing het bevestig dat die besluitnemingsmodel geldig is vir die fasilitering van die besluitnemingsproses om batebestuursdienste te verbeter asook vir die formalisering van die kommersiële en kontraktuele prosesse wat verband hou met hierdie dienste.

Este trabalho tem o objetivo de discutir conceitos, desafios e perspectivas relacionados à aplicação de tecnologias de automação e informação em minas subterrâneas. Exemplos de aplicação contextualizam técnicas e tecnologias atuais de lavra, suas tendências de evolução para o futuro e a interação com aspectos humanos, operacionais e gerenciais. Dados coletados, referentes a indicadores de produtividade e confiabilidade, são utilizados para um estudo sobre a utilização de um jumbo de perfuração computadorizado nas operações de desenvolvimento e produção de uma mina subterrânea no Brasil. Uma série de desafios devem ser considerados para que sistemas computadorizados embarcados em conjunto com infraestrutura de tecnologia da informação se tornem parte da estratégia operacional. Gestores devem efetivamente adaptar as organizações a novos padrões de segurança, eficiência operacional e gestão integrada da informação. A padronização de interfaces deve ser aceita como premissa básica para a integração de processos. / This study aims to discuss the concepts, challenges and perspectives related to automation and information technologies application in underground mines. Application examples contextualize current mining techniques and technology, future evolution and the interaction with human, operational and management aspects. Productivity and reliability data collected are used to study the utilization of a computerized drilling jumbo for development and production operations in an underground mine in Brazil. A series of challenges must be considered for onboard electronic systems combined with information technology infrastructure become part of the operational strategy. Leaders must effectively manage to adapt organizations to new standards. It is evident the value-added operation with all the benefits related to safety, operational efficiency and integrated information management. Interface standardization must be accepted as a basic premise for process integration.

Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The decline of the passenger rail transport system of South Africa over the past two decades has left the passenger rail industry in a difficult position. The most significant impact has been the deterioration of the physical assets. Due to the renewed focus by government on passenger rail transport, the need for improving the physical asset management has been recognised. Physical asset management manifests itself through the application of strategies. The need for new and/or updated strategies was identified and summarily examined. Through the initial literature study, it was found that strategies are founded on the specific maintenance policy of an organisation. The application of the new/updated strategies was intended to take place at Metrorail. An investigation at Metrorail revealed the lack of any significant policy that is required to develop any new strategies. This discovery led to a shift in focus from the development of new strategies to the development of a physical asset management policy. A generic policy statement called Requirement-­‐based Asset Management (RAM) was developed, with its primary focus being the conducting of maintenance activities based on the requirements of the organisation, the employees, the asset and the customer. In order to evaluate the suitability of RAM, a strategic roadmap was developed based on the policy statement and validated in three areas of Metrorail. These three areas were the wheel set maintenance system, the Top 7 fault evaluation procedure and the scheduled maintenance cycle of the train sets. The application procedure concluded that the roadmap and thus by deduction RAM are suitable for the Metrorail environment. RAM can be used to develop/improve an organisation’s physical asset management policy. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die agteruitgang van die vervoerspoorwegstelsel vir passasiers gedurende die afgelope twee dekades in Suid-­‐Afrika het hierdie bedryf in ‘n moeilike posisie geplaas. Die mees beduidende impak van hierdie verwaarlosing is die agteruitgang van die instandhouding van fisiese bates. Die regering se hernuwe fokus op die vervoer van passasiers per spoor het gelei tot die herkenning van die behoefte aan verbeterde bestuur van fisiese bates. Die bestuur van fisiese bates word gemanifesteer deur die toepassing van strategieë. ‘n Behoefte aan nuwe en/of opgedateerde strategieë is geïdentifiseer en nagevors. Die aanvanklike literatuurstudie het bevind dat strategieë op ‘n organisasie se spesifieke instandhoudingsbeleid gebaseer is en die toepassing van hierdie nuwe en/of opgedateerde strategieë is beplan by Metrorail. ‘n Gebrek aan ‘n noemenswaardige beleid wat vereis word vir die ontwikkeling van nuwe strategieë is by Metrorail gevind. Hierdie bevinding het ‘n fokusverskuiwing tot gevolg gehad – van die ontwikkeling van nuwe strategieë na die ontwikkeling van ‘n bestuursbeleid vir fisiese bates. ‘n Generiese beleidsverklaring genaamd “Requirement-­‐based Asset Management” (RAM), met die primêre fokus op instandhoudingsaktiwiteite, is ontwikkel en is gebaseer op die behoeftes van die organisasie, die werknemers, bates en kliënte. ‘n Strategiese metodologie wat op die beleidsverklaring gebaseer is, is ontwikkel om die geskiktheid van die RAM te evalueer en is dit in drie areas van Metrorail gevalideer. Hierdie drie areas sluit in die instandhoudingstelsel vir wielstelle, die prosedures betrokke by die evaluasie van die sewe mees beduidende foute, en die geskeduleerde instandhoudingsiklus van die treinstelle. Deur die toepassingsprosedure is die gevolgtrekking gemaak dat die metodologie, en gevolglik die RAM, geskik is vir die Metrorail-­‐omgewing. Die RAM kan dus gebruik word vir die ontwikkeling en/of verbetering van ‘n organisasie se bestuursbeleid vir fisiese bates.

Thesis (MScEng (Industrial Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The problem with which many organisations struggle in the current economical environment is that of focus. They are trapped in a situation where limited resources or lack of inherent knowledge withhold them from increasing shareholder value. This research focuses on the strategy which an organisation pursues when outsourcing those business functions which are outside their core competencies. The outcome of this decision involves them entering into a partnership with a service organisation (or consultancy). The duration of the relationship between these parties is dependent on the value (actual plus perceived) which the service organisation contributes to its customer. Pragma (a service organisation in the physical asset management (PAM) environment) is, due to the current economic turmoil, in a situation where they need to indicate the value created through the acquirement of their service. This leads to a search for a model which would provide them with the required justification. A study was conducted on current available frameworks but none of those identified suited this type of measurement. This led to the development of a unique model (based on the principles of the Balanced Scorecard) called the performance measurement value index (PMVI) which identifies the generic elements required to measure the value of a service partnership. These elements are: 1. financial perspective; 2. customer engagement; 3. risk management; and 4. internal business processes. These elements are weighted (using the analytical hierarchical process) to represent the change in value, as contributed by the elements, and is then represented as a single value (ten is used as this arbitrary value in this research). The PMVI is introduced into the PAM environment which then produces the asset management value index (AMVI). The four elements of the PMVI are broken down into five elements required for the AMVI. These elements are: 1. cost reduction; 2. asset performance improvement; 3. customer satisfaction; 4. risk reduction; and 5. asset management maturity. The model was applied to three of Pragma’s customers. The type of application (within this environment) is dependent on the nature of both the customer and service. The first two customers are both from a manufacturing environment but they differ in the type of service (ACC@Pragma vs ACC@Client) rendered. The third customer operates within the utilities and facilities environment and receives an ACC@Client service. The period over which the model was applied varies due to the use and availability of historical data of these customers. An increase in value was noted for the two ACC@Client customers (from 7.68 to 8.51 and 4.54 to 7.73 respectively), where the service partnership is still in its early stages (one to three years old). However, the ACC@Pragma customer reflected a stagnating value (6.62 to 6.59) where the service partnership is older than ten years. These results reflect the expectations which Pragma had at the beginning of the study and consequently proves that they do add value to their customers. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die huidige ekonomiese omgewing veroorsaak dat baie ondernemings sukkel om te fokus. Hulle word vasgevang in ‘n situasie waar ‘n beperking in hulpbronne of ‘n tekort aan nodige kennis hulle verhoed om waarde te verskaf aan hulle aandeelhouers. Hierdie navorsing ondersoek daardie strategie van ‘n onderneming wat daartoe lei dat hulle sekere besigheids funksies, wat hulle nie beskou as hul eie sterktepunte nie, uitkontrakteer en gevolglik kan fokus op hul sterktepunte. Die gevolg van hierdie besluit verg dat die onderneming ‘n ooreenkoms aangaan met ‘n dienste onderneming. Die tydperk van hierdie verhouding word bepaal deur die waarde (beide werklik en aangevoelde) wat die dienste onderneming toevoeg tot hul klient. Pragma (‘n dienste onderneming in die fisiese bates bestuur bedryf) word huidiglik gekonfronteer met die situasie waar hulle die waarde wat, weens die lewering van hul diens, toegevoeg word tot die klient. Dit lei tot die soeke na ‘n model om die lewering van hulle diens te valideer. ‘n Studie was uitgevoer op die huidige beskikbare modele wat doeltreffendheid in ‘n onderneming meet, maar geen van die geїdentifiseerdes was toepaslik op hiersie situasie nie. Dit het gelei tot die ontwikkeling van ‘n unieke model (gebaseer op die beginsels van die Balanced Scorecard) genaamd die Performance Measurement Value Index (PMVI) wat die nodige elemente vir die meting van hierdie tipe doeltreffenheid identifiseer. Hierdie elemente sluit in die: • finansiële perspektief; • kliënte interaksie; • risiko bestuur; en • interne besigheids prosesse. Die geweegde uikomste van hierdie elemente (soos bepaal deur die Analytical Hierarchical Process) word gebruik om ‘n verandering in waarde aan te dui as ‘n enkele waarde (tien in die geval van hierdie studie).Die PMVI word aangepas vir gebruik in die fisiese bate bestuur omgewing en die gevolge hiervan is die skepping van die Asset Management Value Index (AMVI). Die vier elemente, soos gebruik in die PMVI, word aangepas na vyf elemente in die AMVI. Hierdie elemente sluit in die: • verlaging van uitgawes; • bate doeltreffenheid verhoging; • kliënt tevredenheid; • risiko verlaging; en • bate bestuur verbetering (verbetering in die interne besigheids funksies van bate bestuur). Die model was toegepas op drie van Pragma se kliente. Die tipe van toepassing (binne hierdie omgewing) is afhanklik van beide die kliënt en dienste gelewer. Die eerste twee kliënte is beide afkomstig van ‘n hoofsaaklik vervaardigings-omgewing, maar die dienste gelewer aan die kliënte verskil (ACC@Pragma vs ACC@Client). Die ander klient is afkomstig vanuit ‘n dienste en geboue omgewing en ontvang die dienste van ‘n ACC@Client. Die tydperk waaroor die AMVI toegepas is verskil weens die toepaslikheid en beskikbaarheid van historiese inligting. ‘n Toename in waarde is bevind by beide van die ACC@Client kliënte (vanaf 7.68 na 8.51 en 4.54 na 7.73 onderskeidelik). Dit kan toeskryf word aan die vroeë fase waarin hierdie diens ooreenkoms funksioneer (vanaf een tot drie jaar). Die uitkomste van die ACC@Pragma, aan die anderkant, dui op stagnerende waarde (6.62 na 6.59) vir die kliënt waar die diens ooreenkoms alreeds ouer as tien jaar is. Die uitkomste van hierdie studie bewys die verwagtinge wat Pragma aan die begin van hierdie studie gehad het en bewys gevolglik dat hulle wel waarde toevoeg tot hul kliënte.

Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this thesis is to compare the aviation derived reliability metric known as the Maintenance Free Operating Period (MFOP), with the traditionally used, and commonly found, reliability metric Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF), which has over the years shown some innate disadvantages in the field of maintenance. It will be shown that this is mainly due to MTBF’s inherent acceptance of failure and the unscheduled maintenance therewith directly connected. Moreover, MFOP is successfully applied to a mining specific case study, as to date, no other application of the MFOP concept to the mining sector is known. An extensive literature study is presented, which covers concepts relevant to the overall study and which helps to contextualise the problem, revealing the major shortcomings of the commonly accepted MTBF metric. A methodology to analyse systems MFOP performance, making use of failure statistics to analyse both repairable and non-repairable systems, is presented. Validation makes use of a case study which applies the MFOP methodology to a system, specifically in the mining sector. It was shown that MFOP could be applied to the data obtained from the mining sector, producing estimates which were accurate representations of reality. These findings provide an exciting basis on which to begin to facilitate a paradigm shift in the mind set of maintenance personnel, setting reliability targets and dealing with unscheduled maintenance stops. KEYWORDS: Maintenance Free Operating Period, Mean Time Between Failure, Maintenance, Mining / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie tesis is om die Onderhoudvrye Bedryf Tydperk (OBT), ’n betroubaarheidsmaatstaf afkomstig van die lugvaart industrie, te vergelyk met die Gemiddelde Tyd Tussen Falings (GTTF) maatstaf wat tradisioneel in algemene gebruik is, maar wat oor die jare inherente nadele met betrekking tot instandhouding geopenbaar het. Dit sal bewys word dat hierdie nadele hoofsaaklik ontstaan as gevolg van die GTTF se inherente aanvaarding van failure en die ongeskeduleerde instandhouding wat daarmee gepaard gaan. OBT word ook suksesvol aangewend in ’n mynwese-spesifieke gevallestudie, wat aaangegaan is aangesien geen ander sooortgelyke aanwending in die mynwese sektor tot datum bekend is nie. ’n Breedvoerige literatuurstudie word voorgelê wat relevante konsepte dek en die probleem binne konteks plaas, en daardeur die hoof tekortkominge van die algemeen aanvaarde GTTF metriek ontbloot. ’n Metodologie waardeur analise van die stelsel werkverrigting van die OBT uitgevoer kan word met gebruik van onderbrekings statistiek om herstelbaar sowel as onherstelbare stelsels te analiseer, word voorgestel. Geldigheid word getoets deur ’n gevallestudie wat die OBT metodologie aangewend word spesifiek vir ’n stelsel in die mynwese Dit is bewys dat OBT toegepas kan word op data afkomstig van die mynwese sector, en skattings lewer wat akkurate voorstellings is van die werklikheid. Hierdie bevindinge is opwindend, en dit dien as die basis vir ’n die aanwending van ’n paradigmaskuif in die benadering van instandhoudingspersoneel tot die daarstelling van teikens vir betroubaarheid en ook in hul hantering van ongeskeduleerde instandhoudingsophoud. SLEUTELWOORDE: Onderhoudvrye Bedryf Tydperk, Gemiddelde Tyd Tussen Falings, Onderhoud, Mynbou

Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The successful execution of the Physical Asset Management Strategy (PAMS) is an important value driver for organisations, whose core business is highly dependent on the service delivery of physical assets. However, contemporary research demonstrates that scheduled targets are often not met and the means to detect the constraints that can undermine the strategy execution efforts are deficient. The purpose of this thesis is to investigate Social Network Analysis (SNA) as a method to map primary constraints in Physical Asset Management Strategy Execution (PAMSE). A comprehensive literature review addresses the domains of Physical Asset Management (PAM) and SNA. The review of the literature is supported by interviews with practitioners in the field of PAM. Consequently, the challenges experienced in PAM are contextualised along with the capabilities of SNA and the most important constraints in PAMSE are identified. As an interim result, the study found that dysfunctional information flow and poor decision making are the primary constraints that could hinder the execution of a PAMS. As a consequence thereof, a SNA application methodology was developed in order to scrutinise these areas of concern. The methodology was applied at two research sites in the South African mining industry. Network data for the study was collected by surveys conducted in June and July 2012. The case studies demonstrate that a SNA application in PAM requires a number of prerequisites that are crucial to its success. Nevertheless, a successful SNA application may yield valuable results identifying the problems encountered in PAMSE. Most importantly, the SNA highlights overloaded key employees, collaborative breakdowns and excessive intradepartmental collaboration that have the potential to hinder the PAMSE process. The results were validated by means of dialogue with the individuals involved in the study. This study found that SNA can be used as a method to map the primary constraints experienced by PAMSE. It also emphasises that there are important prerequisites that have to be established for SNA to be successful. Future research could be carried out based on the results of this thesis, in order to design improvement plans for the studied research site and possibly conduct a second SNA to investigate whether the constraints, identified in the study, had been resolved. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die suksesvolle uitvoering van die Fisiese Batebestuurstrategie is ’n belangrike genereerder van waarde vir organisasies waar die kernbesigheid tot ’n groot mate afhanklik is van die dienslewering van fisiese bates. Hedendaagse navorsing wys egter dat geskeduleerde mylpale meestal nie bereik word nie en dat die metodes wat gebruik word om vas te stel watter beperkings die strategie-uitvoering ondermyn, ontoereikend is. Die doel van hierdie tesis is om die aanwending van Sosiale Netwerkanalise as ’n metode te ondersoek, om die primêre beperkings ten opsigte van die uitvoering van Fisiese Batebestuurstrategie te identifiseer. ’n Omvattende literatuuroorsig is uitgevoer wat die gebied van Fisiese Batebestuur en Sosiale Netwerkanalise aanspreek. Die literatuuroorsig is aangevul deur onderhoude met kundiges op die gebied van Fisiese Batebestuur. Sodoende kon die uitdagings van Fisiese Batebestuur bestudeer word in die konteks en vermoëns van Sosiale Netwerkanalise, en gevolglik is die belangrikste beperkings in Fisiese Batebestuurstrategie-Uitvoering geïdentifiseer. Die voorlopige resultate van die studie het bevind dat gebrekkige inligtingsvloei en swak besluitneming die hoofbeperkings is wat die uitvoering van ’n Fisiese Batebestuurstrategie kan verhinder. Gevolglik is ’n Sosiale Netwerkanalise toepassingsmetodiek ontwikkel om dié probleemareas onder die mikroskoop te plaas. Dié metodiek is dan op twee teiken-aanlegte in die Suid-Afrikaanse Mynbou Industrie toegepas. Netwerkdata vir die studie is deur middel van meningsopnames in Junie en Julie 2012 ingesamel. Die gevallestudies demonstreer dat ’n Sosiale Netwerkanalisetoepassing in Fisiese Batebestuur waardevolle resultate kan lewer met betrekking tot die probleme wat ondervind word in die uitvoer van Fisiese Batebestuurstrategie. Onder die belangrikste bevindings van die Sosiale Netwerkanalise tel die oorbelasting van sleutelposwerknemers, mislukte samewerking, asook eksessiewe interdepartementele samewerking met die potensiaal om die uitvoering van die Fisiese Batebestuurstrategie te verhinder. Die bevindings is deur dialoog met die individuele deelnemers in die ondersoek gestaaf. Die studie het bevind dat Sosiale Netwerkanalise geskik is as ’n metode om die primêre beperkings, wat ondervind word in die uitvoering van Fisiese Batebestuurstrategie, te identifiseer. Dit moet egter ook beklemtoon word dat daar belangrike voorvereistes bestaan, wat vir die suksesvolle toepassing van Sosiale Netwerkanalise in plek moet wees. Toekomstige navorsing kan gebaseer word op die uitkoms van dié tesis met die doel om ontwerpverbeteringsplanne vir die teiken-aanlegte op te stel. Daarbenewens kan ’n moontlike opvolg Sosiale Netwerkanalise uitgevoer word om te meet of die beperkings wat deur die ondersoek geidentifiseer is, oorkom is.

Thesis (MEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The management of physical assets has become a popular eld of study over recent years and is being acknowledged in multiple disciplines world wide. In this project, research on Physical Asset Management (PAM), maintenance and decision making are presented. PAM is a complex subject and requires the participation of multiple disciplines in order to successfully manage physical assets. Moreover, the management of maintenance makes a big contribution in achieving successful PAM. Decision making is a core element to manage maintenance e ciently, both on strategic and operational level. Various methods and techniques can be used to aid the decision making process such as, using past experience, xed decision making techniques and techniques involving numerical calculations, to mention only a few. However, using numerical calculations to make decisions are not very popular. This is due to various reasons, for example the inherent complexity of the mathematics and the time required to execute such calculations are disliked. People tend to avoid complex numerical calculations and rather rely on past experience and discussion of circulating opinions to make decisions. This is not ideal and can lead to inconsistent and inaccurate decisions. In this project, the importance of numerical decision making is researched, especially in maintenance related decisions. The focus is placed on the simpli cation of numerical decision making techniques with the aim to make it easy and quick to use to support operational PAM decisions. Di erent decisions regarding PAM, especially decisions with regards to managing maintenance in order to achieve PAM, are discussed by means of a literature study. This is done to clarify the applicability of using numerical decision making techniques to support this type of decisions. A few di erent available numerical techniques are highlighted that can be used to support the decision making process. The decisions together with numerical decision making techniques are evaluated in order to combine the most appropriate techniques in a simpli ed manner. The purpose of this is that it can be used by anyone with the necessary knowledge of a speci c system or operation. As a result a simpli ed numerical decision making toolbox is developed that can support maintenance related decision. This toolbox is applied to a real life situation by means of a case study, made possible by Anglo American Platinum Limited (Amplats). An evaluation and validation of the toolbox is done through the case study to conclude wether it has value in practice or not. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die bestuur van siese bates het die afgelope paar jaar 'n gewilde studieveld geword en word erken in verskeie dissiplines reg oor die w^ereld. In hierdie projek word navorsing gedoen oor Fisiese Bate Bestuur (FBB), instandhouding en besluitneming. FBB is 'n komplekse onderwerp en vereis die deelname van verskeie dissiplines om sukses te behaal. Die bestuur van instandhouding maak 'n groot bydrae tot suksesvolle FBB. 'n Kern element van doeltre ende instandhouding is besluitneming, beide op strategiese en operasionele vlak. Verskillende metodes en tegnieke kan gebruik word om die besluitnemingsproses te ondersteun soos byvoorbeeld om gebruik te maak van ondervinding en vorige gebeurtenisse, vaste besluitnemingstegnieke, tegnieke wat numeriese berekeninge gebruik en nog meer. Die gebruik van numeriese metodes om besluite te neem is nie baie gewild nie. Dit is as gevolg van verskeie redes soos byvoorbeeld die inherente kompleksiteit en ingewikkeldheid van die wiskunde en ook die tyd wat benodig word om sulke berekeninge uit te voer. Mense is geneig om ingewikkelde numeriese berekeninge te vermy en eerder staat te maak op vorige ervaring en die bespreking van menings om besluite te neem. Dit is nie ideaal nie en kan lei tot onkonsekwente besluite, of selfs verkeerde besluite. In hierdie projek is die belangrikheid van numeriese besluitneming nagevors, veral in die onderhoudsverwante besluite. Die fokus word geplaas op die vereenvoudiging van die numeriese besluitnemings tegnieke. Die doel is om dit op so 'n manier te vereenvoudig dat dit maklik en vinnig is om te gebruik vir operasionele FBB besluite. Verskillende besluite oor FBB, veral besluite met betrekking tot instandhouding om suksesvolle FBB te bereik, word bespreek deur middel van 'n literatuurstudie. Die literatuurstudie ondersoek die toepaslikheid van die gebruik van numeriese besluitnemingstegnieke vir hierdie soort besluite. 'n Paar verskillende beskikbare numeriese tegnieke wat gebruik kan word om die besluitnemingsproses te ondersteun word uitgelig. Die besluite, saam met numeriese besluitnemingtegnieke, word ge evalueer om die mees gepaste tegnieke te kombineer in 'n vereenvoudigde manier. Uiteindelik moet dit deur enige iemand met die nodige kennis van 'n spesi eke stelsel of proses gebruik kan word. As resultaat is 'n vereenvoudigde numeriese besluitnemingstegniekkombinasie ontwikkel wat besluite verwant aan instandhouding kan ondersteun. Hierdie tegniek-kombinasie word toegepas in 'n werklike situasie deur middel van 'n gevallestudie, wat moontlik gemaak is deur Anglo American Platinum Limited. 'n Evaluering en validering van die tegniek-kombinasie word gedoen in die gevallestudie om te bepaal of dit wel waarde het in die praktyk of nie.