Why strategy management is essential to maximize ROI on an EAM upgrade

When organizations invest in replacing or upgrading their Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) systems, the success of that initiative is ultimately defined by its return on investment (ROI). And in most cases, that ROI is expected to be substantial. 

But where does that return actually come from? 

There are two primary drivers: 

1. Improved productivity of system users and greater efficiency in maintenance work execution. 

2. Enhanced asset performance, often the largest contributor to ROI due to the significant value even a small increase in asset availability or service levels can bring. 

Understanding how to achieve this ROI starts with a clear view of what an EAM system does and doesn’t do. 

The role of EAM systems in work management 

At its core, an EAM system is a work management tool. It facilitates the efficient execution of maintenance activities that are already defined within the system. It ensures tasks get done, but it doesn’t determine whether those tasks are the right ones. 

That’s where many organizations run into trouble. They implement or upgrade an EAM system without addressing a fundamental gap: Asset Strategy Management. 

The limits of execution without strategy 

Imagine a technician receives a work order and heads to an asset, only to find it still in operation. It needs isolation, cleaning, or specific tools or materials that aren’t readily available. In this scenario, execution is slow, inefficient, and costly. 

An EAM upgrade aims to solve that problem by improving how work is managed, ensuring that the asset is prepared, the technician has everything they need, and the work can be completed efficiently. This improves productivity and reduces downtime. 

But if the maintenance strategy behind that work is flawed, all you’ve done is efficiently execute the wrong tasks. 

Why effective asset strategy management matters 

Good strategy management ensures the right maintenance is being performed, at the right time, in the right way, based on current asset conditions, operational context, and business objectives. It’s a distinct but complementary process to work management, and it’s what truly drives performance improvement. 

When strategy is aligned and executed well, organizations move from reactive maintenance to a state of predictable performance, where outcomes are aligned with corporate goals and asset reliability becomes a competitive advantage. 

Achieving sustainable performance 

To fully realize the benefits of an EAM upgrade, organizations need both strong work management and robust asset strategy management. Together, they ensure efficient execution of high-impact maintenance activities. 

Add asset health monitoring to the mix, and you gain the ability to continuously assess risk and trigger corrective actions before failures occur. But it all starts with the right strategy.