When identifying the optimal maintenance policy, the cost of inventory maintained to compensate for the downtime is a cost often ignored.

Optimal Maintenance Policy

The most efficient and effective strategy for maintaining equipment or systems, balancing costs with downtime and operational performance.

Inventory

The total amount of goods and materials held by a business to support production, future sales, or servicing.

Downtime

The period during which an equipment, system, or service is not operational or functional, often resulting in productivity or revenue loss.