A combined goal programming - AHP approach to maintenance selection problem

This paper presents a ‘Lexicographic’ Goal Programming (LGP) approach to define the best strategies for the maintenance of critical centrifugal pumps in an oil refinery. For each pump failure mode, the model allows to take into account the maintenance policy burden in terms of inspection or repair and in terms of the manpower involved, linking them to efficiency-risk aspects quantified as in FMECA methodology through the use of the classic parameters occurrence (O), severity (S) and detectability (D), evaluated through an adequate application of the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) technique. An extended presentation of the data and results of the case analysed is proposed in order to show the characteristics and performance of this approach. q 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.