Maintenance keeps a resource working, and resource management makes sure it is used well. A case answer shows the cost of care against the cost of failure, with figures.
This lesson is part of SPM Business physical and technological resources. It follows selecting resources for a business need.
What are the two kinds of maintenance?
| Kind | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Preventive | Servicing on a schedule before failure | Changing van oil every three months |
| Breakdown | Repairing after failure | Replacing an engine part after the van stops |
Breakdown repair is not always wrong. For cheap items, replacing when broken can cost less than servicing.
How do the costs compare in one case?
Bengkel Jaya uses one delivery van. Servicing costs RM200 every three months. One breakdown would cost RM1 500 to repair, and the van would be out for two days. Each day of delivery earns RM400.
Servicing for a year: 4 × RM200 = RM800.
One breakdown: RM1 500 repair + 2 × RM400 lost earnings = RM1 500 + RM800 = RM2 300.
Servicing all year costs RM800, so avoiding one breakdown saves RM2 300 − RM800 = RM1 500.
What does an applied answer sound like?
A general statement says, “Maintenance is important because it keeps equipment working.” An applied answer says, “Bengkel Jaya should service the van every three months at RM800 a year. One breakdown could cost RM2 300 including two days of lost deliveries, so regular servicing is likely to cost less overall.”
The second answer has figures, a comparison and a careful word, “likely”.
How does resource management fit in?
Resource management covers how the van is used, not only repaired. A fictional schedule that groups deliveries by area saves fuel and driving time, so the same van can serve more customers.
Ask three questions in any case: is the resource available when needed, is it used fully, and is anything wasted? The answers give you points for your explanation.
Which mistakes cost marks?
- Saying maintenance “saves money” with no figures from the case.
- Forgetting downtime, so the repair bill looks smaller than the real loss.
- Treating maintenance as certain protection. A serviced van can still break down, so the careful word is “reduces the risk”.
Check yourself
A fictional laundry machine is serviced for RM150 twice a year. A breakdown costs RM900 to repair and stops work for three days, each day earning RM200. Compare the annual servicing cost with one breakdown.
Answer
Servicing: 2 × RM150 = RM300. Breakdown: RM900 + 3 × RM200 = RM900 + RM600 = RM1 500. One breakdown costs RM1 200 more than a year of servicing, so regular servicing reduces the risk of a larger loss.
What to study next
Continue with comparing technology choices using supplied criteria, then use the practice set.
If you want a teacher to check your reasoning, see online one-to-one Business tuition.