Learning Center EAM What Is EAM in Maintenance? In today’s industrial landscape, Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) is pivotal for organizations aiming to maximize the value and performance of their physical
Learning Center
Maintenance Management
What is PM and CM in maintenance?
In maintenance, PM stands for Preventive Maintenance — a proactive approach to preventing failure through regular, scheduled care. CM stands for Corrective Maintenance — a reactive method that involves fixing equipment after failure. Both are essential to an effective asset management strategy.
What is Preventive Maintenance (PM)
PM involves proactively scheduling regular maintenance activities to prevent equipment failure and minimize the likelihood of unplanned downtime. These activities are typically based on time-based intervals or predefined usage metrics.
PM aims to identify and address potential issues before they escalate into costly problems, thereby increasing equipment reliability and longevity.
What is Corrective Maintenance (CM)
CM, on the other hand, focuses on addressing equipment failures and malfunctions reactively. When a breakdown occurs, maintenance personnel respond to the issue and restore the equipment to working condition as quickly as possible.
CM may involve troubleshooting, repair, or replacement of faulty components. While CM is essential for addressing unexpected failures, it is generally more costly and disruptive than preventive maintenance.
What's the Difference Between PM and CM?
| Feature | Preventive Maintenance (PM) | Corrective Maintenance (CM) |
| Approach | Proactive | Reactive |
| Timing | Scheduled | Unplanned |
| Goal | Prevent issues | Fix issues |
| Examples | Lubrication, calibration | Repairs after breakdown |
| Downtime | Minimal | Significant |
Why You Need Both PM and CM
You might think “Why not just stick with one?” Well, here’s the thing — PM reduces the number of breakdowns, but you’ll always have some that need CM.
A healthy maintenance plan uses:
PM to reduce failures and extend asset life.
CM to handle emergencies fast when things still go wrong.
Both PM and CM are integral components of a comprehensive maintenance strategy, with PM aimed at minimizing downtime and extending asset lifespan, while CM focuses on resolving issues swiftly to minimize disruptions to operations.
Fogwing CMMS helps you balance both. You can plan preventive tasks, track corrective work orders, and see all maintenance data in one dashboard.
Quick Takeaway
| Situation | Type |
| Routine oil change | PM |
| Fixing a sudden leak | CM |
| Cleaning filters weekly | PM |
| Replacing a burnt motor | CM |
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