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Creating a Descriptive Indicator

An indicator is descriptive if it has a distinct set of qualitative values that can be detected but cannot be measured in numbers. For example, if you have an indicator that measures tire condition, a list of possible values for the condition of the tires could be “Good Condition,” “Slightly Worn,” or “Threadbare.” You can select an alarm type (such as “Warning” or “Critical”) for possible values.
Measurement points are supported for manually-entered descriptive indicators. The indicator type must allow measurement points to be recorded.
When you create a descriptive indicator, you must enter the possible values that it can have. You can assign any of these values to an alarm state. If you have more than one non-alarm state, you can specify which state is the default normal state for indicator readings. If you wish, you can suggest corrective standard jobs, tasks, or solution packages to be performed when the indicator is in an alarm state.
Using the indicator’s collection policies, you can specify how its reading due dates are calculated. You can also set up the indicator’s collection window to define early and late collection periods. You can track collection compliance using table configurations, sidebar dashboards, and KPIs. For information about viewing an indicator’s collection status, see Viewing Indicator Collection Compliance.
Note: Collection policies and windows are not available for rule-based indicators, calculated indicators, cascaded indicators, and indicators collected from an on-line source.
This topic describes how to create a descriptive indicator.

To Create a Descriptive Indicator

1.
Open the asset that needs the indicator. Select the Inspection Management view, Indicators tab.
2.
Click New. The Create New Indicator dialog appears.
3.
Select From scratch and click OK.
4.
The Indicator window appears. For example:
5.
On the Properties view, General tab:
•
Enter a name for the indicator. The name should describe what is being measured, such as “Tire Condition.”
•
Select a descriptive indicator type from the Indicator type list. When you select a descriptive indicator type, the Type of value box displays “descriptive”.
The tabs available on the window change to reflect the descriptive value type:
6.
Select an appropriate collection method for the indicator.
•
If indicator readings are to be entered by hand or by a mobile device, select Manually entered.
•
If they are to be entered automatically by online collection devices, select Collected from an on-line source. The Online Data Source tab is added. See Configuring Indicators for ODC.
•
If they are to be calculated, select Calculated using a formula. The Calculation tab is added. See Creating a Calculated Descriptive Indicator.
7.
On the Collection tab, you can enter values that determine how often readings are expected and the next collection date. You can also enter information to make it easier to select this indicator when adding indicators to a work order task or standard task, when copying indicators to another asset, when setting up dynamic inspection routes, or when implementing reliability programs.
If you are creating the indicator from a strategy development analysis (MTA2, RCM2, RBI, CPR), the searching values (frequency, regulatory frequency, trade, operating condition, maintenance group, and technology) are automatically copied from the associated action plan, if the analysis’ indicator settings allow it. In this case, you need only verify the values.
Note: Any changes that you make to the searching values are not copied to the indicator’s associated action plan.
Review and select values, as appropriate:
Setting Name
Description
Frequency
Select the expected frequency with which the readings should be collected. This information is used to select indicators in lists and as matching criteria on dynamic inspection routes for standard tasks.
Note: A frequency must be selected if the indicator is to use a collection window based on a percentage of its frequency.
Regulatory frequency
Interval between inspections as mandated by the appropriate regulatory agency.
Trade
Select the trade that is normally responsible for collecting readings for the indicator. This information is used to filter lists of indicators.
Operating condition
Select the operating condition that the asset must have before readings can be collected for it. This information is used to filter lists of indicators.
Maintenance group
Select the maintenance group that is normally responsible for collecting readings for this indicator. This information is used to filter lists of indicators.
Technology
Select the PdM technology used to collect readings from the indicator. This information is used to filter lists of indicators.
Tip: If the technology is linked to an asset type that is used to collect indicator readings, you can identify the measurement device on indicator readings and checksheets.
Inspection type
The type of inspection to be performed on the asset, for example, “Intrusive” or “Out of service”.
Inspection effectiveness
This value provides a measurement of the thoroughness, sensitivity, and efficiency of the inspection strategy, which can then inform your assessments of confidence and probability of failure.
Collection sequence
Enter the sequence number to be given to the indicator when it is added to a standard task. The sequence number suggests the order in which the indicator reading is to be taken. This default sequence can be changed on the standard task.
Collection group
Collection group is one of the properties that can be assigned to a route asset on a standard task’s dynamic inspection route. Collection groups are typically used for large assets whose indicators are read at different points in the route. For example, indicators could be split into two groups: front and back indicators. The front and back of the asset might be visited at different times on the route or even on different routes (standard tasks).
Collection set
Collection set is one of the matching criteria that can be used to select indicators for a standard task’s dynamic inspection route. You can create collection sets as required by your organization to identify indicators for different routes.
Bar code
If your organization uses bar codes to identify employees, assets, indicators, or areas, enter the bar code here. The number must be unique for all objects that support bar codes. For example, an employee’s bar code might be his employee number with the prefix “E”.
External ID
The short name for the indicator. This is an optional value that does not need to be unique for the asset. The default value is copied from the indicator name.
Map coordinates
The latitude and longitude coordinates of the indicator.
Note: By default, the map coordinates are automatically populated with the coordinates of the asset to work on.
Note: Latitude can have values ranging from -090.000 to +090.000. Longitude values can be from -180.000 to +180.000. For values outside these ranges, APM will accept the values and adjust accordingly. For example, a longitude value of +200.0 will translate to -160.0 on the map.
8.
To specify the months during which readings should be taken, select the Seasonal tab. Click This indicator is collected seasonally and select the starting and ending dates. For example:
Reading due dates will reflect the seasonal settings.
9.
If the indicator type specifies that lubricant information is available on indicators of that type, the Lubricant tab is available. Select the tab to enter information about the lubricants, such as grease or oil, required for the route.
Setting Name
Description
Lubricant
Type of lubricant, for example, grease or oil, as defined in the resource catalog.
Quantity to apply
Amount of lubricant to apply at each point.
Quantity to apply Unit
The unit of measurement of lubricant to apply at each point.
Capacity
Amount of lubricant that the asset requires in total.
Number of points
Number of points on the asset or route that require lubrication.
Lubrication method
The means by which the lubricant is applied, for example, dusting or hand-rubbing.
Description
Additional information about the lubrication route.
10.
Select the Measurement tab and then the Measurement Points tab, if available, to define measurement points. For more information, see Adding Measurement Points to an Indicator.
11.
Select the Measurement tab and then the Instructions tab.
12.
Provide information about taking indicator readings. These instructions are copied to standard tasks, work order tasks, and checksheets that use the indicator.
13.
Select the Collection Requirements tab.
14.
Select any of the collection requirements that apply to this indicator.
15.
If the indicator type supports subtypes and surveys, you can select the Survey and Subtypes tab to review information. For example:
16.
If the indicator type allows these settings to be overridden on individual indicators, you can clear Use indicator type survey and subtype settings. The default indicator and survey type settings appear on the right as a reference, and you can edit each option as needed. For example:
17.
Select the Collection Policies tab.
18.
Indicate whether collection of this indicator’s readings is mandatory on all checksheets.
19.
Specify which readings trigger the calculation of the indicator’s next collection date. The options are:
•
All readings – The indicator’s next reading due date is recalculated whenever a reading is processed
•
Non-alarm readings only – The indicator’s next reading due date is recalculated only when a normal (non-alarm) reading is processed. Select this option if an alarm situation must be resolved and confirmed by a normal reading before regular collection resumes
Tip: On an alarm acknowledgment, you can request a follow-up reading and the time period for collecting it (for example, 10 days). For more information, see Acknowledging Indicator Alarms and Warnings.
20.
Set the collection starting date for the indicator when an initial reading has not been recorded. By default, this is the date on which the indicator was created, but you can change it to a later date if required. The date is used to set the first collection due date based on frequency. It is also used to calculate the indicator’s first reading compliance values.
21.
Select the Collection Window tab to enable reading compliance tracking. Select Collection window supported to set up reading tolerances.
22.
Select the options for determining the early and late periods:
•
Collection window is based on a percentage of the indicator’s frequency – Enter percentages in the Early collection and Late collection boxes.
For example, if the frequency is 10 years and you enter 10.00 in both boxes, the early collection period ends one year before the due date. The late collection period begins one year after the due date. The on-time collection period extends from the end of the early collection period to the beginning of the late collection period.
Note: This option is not available if a frequency has not been selected on the General tab, Collection tab.
•
Collection window is based on a calendar period – Select the period: Day, Week, Month, or Year. The collection periods have the following characteristics:
Day – The early collection date is 00:00:01 on the due date, and the late collection date is 23:59:59 on the due date.
Week – The early collection date is the first day of the week (at 00:00:01) in which the due date falls. The late collection date is the last day of the week (at 23:59:59) in which the due date falls.
Month – The early collection date is the first day of the month (at 00:00:01) in which the due date falls. The late collection date is the last day of the month (at 23:59:59) in which the due date falls.
Year – The early collection date is the first day of the year (at 00:00:01) in which the due date falls. The late collection date is the last day of the year (at (23:59:59) in which the due date falls.
23.
For early, on-time, and late readings, select whether the next reading date is based on the date collected or the date that the reading was due.
Tip: Readings taken between the early and late dates are considered “on time”. The indicator’s collection status is “Coming due” when the early collection date is in the future but the current date is within the site’s compliance horizon (30 days by default).
24.
Select the States and Alarms tab.
25.
If the indicator allows multiple measurement points, you can have each measurement point acknowledged individually. Select Track and acknowledge alarms by measurement point.
26.
On the Descriptive States tab, add the values that users can choose from when they enter a reading for this indicator. The “Normal” state is added automatically. To add a state, click New. The Indicator State dialog appears.
•
Enter a name for the state. For example, if the indicator determines gasket/seal condition, one possible value is “Cracked or damaged.”
•
To replace the icon, click Change, select a new graphic, and click OK.
•
The sequence number determines the order of the states in the table.
•
If the indicator is collected from an on-line data source, you must enter an ODC mapping value. Enter the string-equivalent of the value that will be returned by the online device. This information is mandatory for descriptive indicators collected from an on-line source. For more information, see Mapping Values For Descriptive Indicators.
•
If appropriate, select an alarm to be triggered when this value is entered on the indicator.
•
Optionally, you can have the system send an email to one or more employees when this indicator is in this alarm state. To set this up, click the Notification tab. Select one of the notification options, and then use the Browse button to select one or more employees.
Note: For this feature to work, the employee must be a domain user with a valid email account. This email account must be added to the employee record in APM.
•
If your organization uses failure tracking, you can have APM create a failure record and downtime incident when an alarm is acknowledged. For more information, see To Select Failure and Downtime Options for an Alarm State.
•
Optionally, you can add conditional indicators to checksheets based on this state. For more information, see To Add Conditional Indicators to an Indicator State.
27.
When you have finished defining the state, click OK in the Indicator State dialog. The state is added to the States tab.
28.
If the collection method is “manual”, the Default to normal is allowed option is selected by default. This means that, when a user enters readings for descriptive indicators, the Default to normal button is available. If you wish to disable this functionality, clear the option.
29.
If Default to normal allowed is selected, you can specify which non-alarm state is the default normal state by selecting it from the list.
30.
Select the Candidates tab.
If APM has been configured to exchange data with an external CMMS using AssetWise Enterprise Interoperability (AWEIS), the Candidates tab displays tables listing solution packages and corrective tasks associated with this indicator. For example:
On this tab, you can suggest standard jobs (APM), solution packages (AWEIS), standard tasks, and templates to users who are acknowledging alarms or warnings. When users acknowledge alarms or warnings for the indicator, APM prompts them with the list so that they can create work orders.
Note: If you are creating the indicator during a strategy development analysis (MTA2, RCM2, RBI, CPR), the action plan’s corrective tasks and jobs or solution packages are automatically added to the indicator when the action plan is marked “Implementation Completed”.
31.
To add a corrective job (APM), solution package (AWEIS), or task to the list, click Browse. Select the item that you want to add, and then click OK.
32.
If APM interoperability has been set up to access data in SAP Plant Maintenance, the SAP Corrective Tasks tab is available. Select this tab to browse for SAP objects for reference purposes. You can add maintenance items, maintenance plans, and task lists.
33.
Select the Options tab and then the Graphics tab.
34.
Provide the following information:
Setting Name
Description
Reading charts
Style of chart to be used for indicator readings.
Default time period to show
Amount of time (for example, weeks, months, years) for which to show indicator readings. When this option is enabled, the Indicator window’s Readings view, Readings tab displays readings for this amount of time, ending with the next reading date. This setting also affects how KPI readings are displayed on dashboards.
Asset
Asset to use in indicator comparison charts.
Indicator
Indicator to use in indicator comparison charts.
Asset
Asset to use for tasks and failures in indicator reading charts.
Gauge type
The style of gauge to use for this indicator.
Preview value
Number used to demonstrate a reading in the gauge preview.
35.
On the Options tab, select the Work Orders tab. On this tab you can:
•
Have APM automatically include the indicator on all work order tasks that are created for this asset or for this asset and its child assets.
•
Have APM take “snapshots” of indicators for the asset that is being worked on for a work order task. This means that APM records the current state of the indicator at the time that the work order task is created, when it is closed, or both when it is created and closed. Select the appropriate options in the Snapshots and Snapshot timing areas.
36.
Select the Description tab to add more information about the indicator.
37.
When you are finished, save the indicator and close the Indicator window.