Osmos Global Publication · Osmos Perspective
Maintenance KPIs Can Reward the Wrong Behaviour
Work-order closure does not prove risk reduction
FM dashboards frequently emphasise completed work orders, response times and planned-maintenance compliance. These measures are useful for workflow control but can be gamed or disconnected from asset outcomes.
Analysis
A task can be closed without removing the failure mode. Rapid response can coexist with repeated disruption.
Osmos Global analysis: performance should combine activity with outcome measures such as repeat failure, downtime, critical exposure, emergency-to-planned work and condition-confidence improvement.
Leadership implication: metrics shape behaviour. If teams are rewarded only for closure, they may optimise records instead of reliability.
Decision lens
Recommended action. Add a small set of risk-and reliability-based measures to the FM scorecard.
Cite this
Osmos Global Research & Knowledge Centre (2026). Maintenance KPIs Can Reward the Wrong Behaviour. Osmos Perspective, Osmos Global. https://www.osmosglobal.org/articles/maintenance-kpis-can-reward-the-wrong-behaviour
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Discussion
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