When I was working as a Plant Engineer, one of the most difficult decisions I ever had to make was determining when to start the transition from reactive to proactive maintenance. I encountered this decision on three occasions as I worked for DuPont, AP Technoglass, and Chemdal Corporation. Each time the decision was equally difficult.

There are so many things to consider: How do we find the necessary manpower to implement? How do we find enough time off for the crew to receive training? How can we justify the capital expenditures when the return on investment, although likely, isn’t guaranteed?

I liken this decision to the one my wife and I made before we had our first child. We had to answer the same questions: How are we going to find the time? Where are we going to get the money?

In every case though, including the one that brought us our beautiful baby girl, I decided to just do it. I knew in my gut that the plan was good, and there was no perfect time to start. In every case, the results were nothing less than spectacular. And in every case, my only regret was not starting earlier. The reality is that you always find the time and you always find the money.

So, the answer to our question is this: Whenever you know in your heart that the plan is good, the right time is “as soon as possible”. Don’t waste another minute being controlled by your process. Get started and re-gain control of your plant.