Development, Implementation, and Evaluation of a Maintenance Performance System19191

This report describes a three-year project to develop, implement and evaluate an Army Maintenance Performance System (MPS(O)) for organizational level maintenance in armor and mechanized infantry battalions. From specific maintenance and training information provided by the MPS(O), managers, supervisors and trainers can assess and solve problems of resource allocation, skill deficiencies, and equipment readiness. The MPS(O) automatically maintains a task-performed inventory for each mechanic and indicates need for training on low-skill tasks. A prototype MPS(O) developed early in the project was later modified to Division-86 maintanence needs and a refined version was operated by contractor staff on-site at Fort Carson, CO. The final version was operated by Army personnel at Fort Carson in three test batallions during an evaluation period. Maintenance leaders in MPS(O) battalions assessed key elements of their maintenance work related to effectiveness more positively than did maintenance leaders in a control non-MPS(O) battalion. Maintenance information needs were found to be satisfied better the longer the MPS(O) was used.