Machine and Equipment Classification as a Foundation for Maintenance Methods: A Qualitative Approach

Maintenance teams ensure reliable machinery operation to maintain productivity and quality, while growing data availability supports analysis and informed decision-making, aided by machinery classification. The aim of this article is to define a classification of criteria based on the source of data, enabling the determination of the value of each criterion used in the analysis, and to propose a method for calculating a value representing the criticality of an object. Criticality analysis identifies key system components and prioritizes maintenance activities. A review of the literature reveals various classifications used to distinguish criteria applied in criticality analysis. However, there is a noticeable lack of categorization of these criteria based on the source of the data. To address this gap, a qualitative research method was used, allowing for an in-depth understanding of the analyzed phenomenon through a literature review and participant observation. On this basis, a new criteria classification was defined which takes data sources into account, providing a foundation for conducting a two-dimensional analysis and enabling a more comprehensive assessment of criticality.