Maintenance optimisation from a decision theoretical point of view

Maintenance optimisation is rarely discussed from a decision theoretical point of view. It is believed that maintenance programmes may benefit from using decision theory in a more formal manner. In decision theory there is a sharp line of demarcation between establishing requirements and preferences on one side, and methods for seeking an optimal solution in accordance with the requirements and preferences on the other side. We discuss requirements and preferences concerning maintenance, and how to model these by value and utility functions. Next we discuss how to choose the optimum set of maintenance actions. Influence diagrams are introduced to visualise the relation between maintenance actions, system characteristics and value functions. Finally an illustrative example is given.