Knowledge Management and Experience Transfer in Major Maintenance Activities: A Practitioner’s Perspective

Major overhauls, outages, shutdowns and turnarounds (MoOSTs) are significant maintenance interventions needed on a periodic basis to optimise the performance of physical industrial assets (PIAs). However, uncertainties in forms emergent discovery work which sometimes cause delays cost overruns quite common partly because, MoOSTs characterised by inherent challenges such as, but not limited to, short execution spans, volatility ever-evolving schedules, task complexities as well huge offline production and/or operation costs etc. Furthermore, literature, other complex elements further constrains decision-makers from satisfactorily achieving predetermined objectives have been identified, one is lack formalised approach for capturing tacit knowledge experienced practitioners. Consequently, because an applied discipline, human endeavours required planning management, makes it pertinent examine obtain perspectives Therefore, aims this study two folds; firstly, extent alignment between findings literature relates encountered during MoOSTs, probe their underlying causes practice. Secondly, show how relevant would be providing baseline establishing proposal transfer experience. The research adopted; thematic synthesis themes emerged management identified via earlier systematic review (SLR); then, were validated through conducting interviews with Demography analysis specific related questions administered questionnaires, then analysed using frequency method. Additionally, semi-structured conducted investigate perceptions practitioners issues. Both questionnaires interview formulated obtained SLR, so whether exist practice, if they do what extent. In total, selected responses 49 practitioners, origin across five industries examined determine practice-based perspectives. Based results, nine critical themes, six associated managing knowledge. only known constraints also based perspective involved multiple crucial developing sustainable mitigation. A unique contribution mapping demographic information industry, country, job class, years experience, organization size, performing etc., participants, has shown prior now. importance rigorous efforts design, enabling adoption holistic approaches eliminating first hand reporting people involved. addition, relevance first-hand analyses study; serve introduction adequately manage issues discipline.