Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) is no longer just about fixing things when they break. It’s about using available data to prevent failures, optimize performance, and drive long-term value. IBM Maximo Application Suite (MAS) gives maintenance teams the power to track, analyze, and act on operational data. But with so much available, which asset metrics matter most?
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Whether you’re new to Maximo or a seasoned user refining your asset strategy, here are 10 essential Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) every Maximo user should be tracking to drive smarter decision-making and better asset performance.

1. Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF)

What it measures:  
The average time between one failure and the next for a particular asset or group of assets.
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Why it matters:
MTBF is a core reliability metric. A rising MTBF indicates that your preventive and condition-based maintenance strategies are working. A declining MTBF suggests increasing asset stress or premature component wear—warning signs of failure risk.
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How to track it in Maximo:
Utilize asset failure records and work order history. Maximo allows configuration of failure hierarchies to more accurately capture and trend failure data.

2. Mean Time to Repair (MTTR)

What it measures:
The average time required to repair an asset after a failure.
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Why it matters:
MTTR reflects the efficiency of your response processes and technician performance. If MTTR is high, you may face extended downtime, lost productivity, or costly emergency labor. Lowering MTTR increases uptime and reliability.
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How to track it in Maximo:
Set MTTR targets by asset criticality. Use Maximo’s work order timestamps to capture actual repair durations.

3. Planned Maintenance Percentage (PMP)

What it measures:
The ratio of planned maintenance hours to total maintenance hours (planned + unplanned).
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Formula:
PMP = (Planned Maintenance Hours / Total Maintenance Hours) × 100
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Why it matters:
A healthy PMP (ideally over 80%) shows you're proactive, not reactive. Unplanned maintenance is usually more expensive, riskier, and disruptive.
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How Maximo helps:
Work types in Maximo (PM, CM, EM) help segment work orders and analyze trends in planned vs. reactive activities.

4. Asset Uptime/Availability

What it measures:
The percentage of time an asset is available and operating as intended.
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Formula:
Availability = (Uptime / Total Time) × 100
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Why it matters:
Especially important for production-critical assets, this KPI helps track the real-world impact of maintenance on operations.
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How to Capitalize on This Data:
Maximo’s Integration with IoT sensors can provide real-time operating status for smarter tracking.

5. Work Order Completion Rate

What it measures:
The ratio of work orders completed vs. scheduled within a given time frame.
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Why it matters:
A low completion rate might indicate resource constraints, scheduling conflicts, or process inefficiencies. Tracking this helps improve labor productivity and asset reliability.
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How to track it in Maximo:
Generate work order completion reports by technician, asset, or location to pinpoint bottlenecks.

6. Backlog of Maintenance Work

What it measures:
The total number of pending work orders, often measured in labor hours or days.
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Why it matters:
While some backlogging is healthy, excessive backlogs indicate resource shortages or ineffective planning. Too little backlog may suggest underutilized teams or missed preventive tasks.
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How to track it in Maximo:
Track both time-based backlog (e.g., days of work) and work-type backlog (e.g., PM vs. CM) using Maximo reports and KPIs.

7. Maintenance Cost as a Percentage of Asset Replacement Value (ARV)

What it measures:
Total annual maintenance costs compared to the replacement cost of the asset.
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Formula:
Maintenance Cost % ARV = (Annual Maintenance Cost / Asset Replacement Value) × 100
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Why it matters:
A good benchmark for asset cost-effectiveness. For example, costs above 10-15% of ARV may suggest the asset is a candidate for replacement or redesign.
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How Maximo supports it:
Track asset records, historical costs, and parts/labor data. Custom reports can automate this calculation for asset groups.

8. First-Time Fix Rate (FTFR)

What it measures:
The percentage of maintenance tasks resolved on the first technician visit without requiring rework.
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Why it matters:
High FTFRs mean fewer return trips, less downtime, and more efficient use of technician time. Low rates may indicate gaps in training, spare parts availability, or diagnostic tools.

How to track it in Maximo:
Using follow-up work orders or rework flags to identify repeat visits.

9. Inventory Turnover Ratio

What it measures:
How often spare parts inventory is used and replenished over a period.
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Formula:
Inventory Turnover = Cost of Goods Used / Average Inventory Value
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Why it matters:
Striking the balance between too much inventory (tying up capital) and too little (risking delays) is crucial. Tracking turnover helps optimize procurement and storage costs.
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How to track it in Maximo:
Use storeroom and item usage reports to monitor stock levels, demand frequency, and obsolescence.

10. Preventive Maintenance Compliance

What it measures:
The percentage of preventive maintenance tasks completed on schedule.
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Why it matters:
High PM compliance ensures assets are maintained proactively, avoiding unnecessary breakdowns. Low compliance puts the entire asset lifecycle at risk.
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How to track it in Maximo:
Use Maximo’s PM forecast and schedule reports to monitor compliance trends by asset or site.

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Bonus Tip: Customize KPIs by Asset Class and Role

Different industries and roles prioritize different KPIs:

• Utilities may emphasize uptime and regulatory compliance.

• Manufacturing teams might zero in on MTTR and production loss.

• Facilities managers may care more about cost per square foot or SLA response time.
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Maximo allows role-based dashboards and industry-specific configurations through Maximo Application Suite’s (MAS) work centers and dashboards. Leverage these tools to tailor KPIs to what matters most for your team.

Leveraging Maximo Tools and Analytics

IBM Maximo provides powerful tools to visualize and automate KPI tracking:

• Operational Dashboards: Tailored to user roles with KPI charts, alerts, and quick links.

• KPI Manager: Set thresholds, alerts, and historical comparisons.

• Business Intelligence (BI) Integrations: For advanced reporting using Cognos, Power BI, or Maximo Reports.

• Health: The Health scorecard aggregates multiple data points such as work order history, meter readings, failure data, and sensor input into a single condition-based health rating. It helps prioritize maintenance activities, flag at-risk assets, and support decisions about repair or replace of an asset. Health is especially useful for visualizing condition trends and integrating with overall Asset Performance Management (APM).
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And with MAS’s AI-driven insights and integration with IoT and other APM tools, predictive maintenance and anomaly detection become core parts of your KPI strategy.

Final Thoughts: Track What Drives Value for Your Team

Focus on KPIs that directly impact safety, uptime, cost, and performance. KPIs should be the guiding force for decision-making and continuous improvement across an organization.

Start with these top 10, monitor them consistently, and use Maximo’s powerful tools to turn insights into action. That’s how you move from maintenance management to asset performance leadership.

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