A short topic paper on getting Leading and Lagging indicators out of Maximo. I use PM Compliance in my example. I don’t go into detail to the field level but I do point in general directions and provide some suggestions.

1. Lagging and Leading indicators in Maximo
When we implement Maximo we are always focused on usable information returned from the
system. We often hear the term “leading and lagging indicators.” These can be tricky because
typically software analysts and developers do not speak the language of maintainers and much
gets lost in translation.
Let us first make sure we’re all on the same page as leading and lagging indicators can be
confusing. The leading indicators roll up to the lagging indicators. Or the lagging indicators are a
result of the leading indicators. Hmmm, the leading indicators tell you what your lagging indicator
will be. Lagging indicators tell you how you did and leading indicators tell you how you are doing.
Confused yet?
We see lagging indicators all of the time. They are typically on every client’s Key Performance
Indicator (KPI) or Report list. Rarely do you see leading indicators however. Total this, total that,
roll-up of these, and so on. Companies always want the end result but do not always ask to see
their current statuses.
Here’s an example: Company A wants to report their PM compliance and Company B wants to
manage their PM compliance. Here is how they go about it differently.
Company A just needs to use a lagging indicator such as PM Compliance. PM Compliance tells you
how you did.
(Total Number of PMs Scheduled /Total Number of PMs completed) over a given period of time.
This is great information, but this information alone cannot tell you anything about how to
improve or how you are doing during the next report cycle. There is no actionable data.
Company B will use PM Compliance as an indicator as well. PM Compliance is the industry
standard report card. As we mentioned, PM Compliance is a lagging indicator. So what are the
leading indicators? What actionable information can we see that will let us know how to impact
the result of the lagging indicator? There are four simple factors typically impacting everyone’s
ability to maintain their PM schedule which includes time requirements of the PMs, technician
availability, equipment availability, and inventory availability. There may be more but these are
what I have found to be the most common.
(Total Estimated Duration for total number of PMs Scheduled)
(Total available labor hours)
(Total Estimated Duration for total number of PMs Scheduled / Total available labor hours)
(Total Number of PMs Scheduled in an Awaiting Access Status)

2. (Total Number of PMs Scheduled in an Awaiting Materials Status)
Ok, the first two are kind of related, but they are tracked separately and compared with each
other. These four aspects of your maintenance have a direct impact on your PM Compliance. At
any time you can see where you are failing to meet your goals and adjust.
You’ll need to be using…..
• PMs
• Job Plans (Duration)
• Scheduled Start
• Awaiting statuses for Access and Materials
• Calendars
There is always more than one way to “skin a cat” in Maximo but these are a good start.
You will notice Leading indicators are not run for a given time period, but rather are real-time
measurements. They help you make decisions. With this kind of information you can use Maximo
to a greater effect. Leading indicators can help move your system from a tool that records work to
a tool that influences work.
Leading and lagging indicators are both important; it is just that the rarely used leading indicators
can help you get better to better lagging indicators.
I hope you enjoy. If you have any comments see my post on LinkedIn and feel free to share.
Thanks!