The problems with KPIs

The reason why we measure performance in organizations is often reduced to simple platitudes, such as, “you can’t manage anything unless you measure it” or “what gets measured gets done.” The three main reasons for measuring performance are:

To learn and improve
To report externally and demonstrate compliance
To control and monitor people.

The problems with KPIs

Why do we measure performance?

In practice, the term ‘KPI’ is overused, and often describes any form of measurement data and performance metrics that measure business performance. Instead of clearly identifying the information needs, and then carefully designing the most appropriate indicators to assess performance, we often observe what we have termed the ‘ICE’ approach:

Identify everything that is easy to measure and count
Collect and report the data on everything that is easy to measure and count
End up scratching your head and thinking, “What the heck are we going to do with all this performance data stuff?”

Comments

Pump Shaft Breakage: Case Studies and Solutions

By NTS Pump shaft breakage is a common issue that can cause costly downtime and repairs in various industries. In this article, we will explore several case studies of pump shaft breakage and the solutions implemented to prevent future failures. Case Study 1: Chemical Processing Plant A chemical processing plant experienced repeated pump shaft breakages in their cooling water pumps. Investigation revealed that the pumps were not properly aligned with the motor and had excessive vibration due to the misalignment. This caused the pump shaft to fatigue and break over time. The problem was resolved by realigning the pumps and installing vibration monitoring equipment to detect any future misalignment or excessive vibration. Case Study 2: Wastewater Treatment Plant A wastewater treatment plant had issues with pump shaft breakage in their sludge pumps. The pumps were designed with a straight shaft and lacked a flexible coupling, causing excessive stress and vibration on the pump sha...

[Read more...]

Dry Gas Seal Failure Modes

BY BHUSHAN NIKAM. Invented in the mid-20th century and typically equipped in process gas centrifugal, dry gas screw compressors and expanders, dry gas seals (DGS) are the preferred gas lubricated dry seal solutions available on the market. They have become the standard for new machines. DGS are robust, simple, consume less power, and are more efficient in reducing leakage than their predecessor. Various configurations such as tandem with and without an intermediate labyrinth ( Figure 1 ), single ( Figure 2 ), and double ( Figure 3 ) are available & shall be selected based on process requirements. In this article, we discuss the various DGS failure modes and how they should be addressed: PRESSURIZED HOLD/STANDBY Pressurized hold, also called settle-out condition, occurs when the compressor remains at a standstill, but the casing is pressurized. If an alternate process gas lacks sufficient pressure and flow, process gas enters the seal cavity through the process labyrinth ...

[Read more...]

WHAT IS THE ULTRASONIC IN-LINE INSPECTION (ILI) PIGGING?

In-line inspection (ILI) of pipelines has established itself as the most efficient tool for evaluating the condition of a pipeline and an indispensable part of pipeline integrity management. Historically, there have been two major technologies used in in-line inspection for corrosion, the magnetic flux leakage (MFL) and ultrasonics (UT), each having their distinct properties and fields of application. Ultrasonic (UT) ILI has always provided unique quality of information about the pipelines, rendering highest accuracy and tightest measurement tolerances. In the 1990s ultrasonic tools for detection of cracks have become available. Ultrasonic measurement principle: ultrasonic transducer slides along the internal surface of the pipe wall measuring distance to the wall and the wall thickness (top), yielding the stand-off and the wall thickness (bottom two B-scans) Ultrasonic (UT) based In Line Inspection tools for all types of liquid filled pipelines. This includes Ultras...

[Read more...]

Dry-Running Sealing Technology: Pump Applications (P2)

Solutions to Common Problems The operation of a single contacting seal would be difficult with any of the identified problems. A single contacting seal relies on cooling and lubrication from the process liquid being sealed. Any interruption in the cooling and lubrication processes will result in damage to the seal and leakage to the environment. The non-contacting, dry-running seal is a solution to many of the problems identified by users. An installation to a pump is illustrated in Figure 2. This type of pump seal technology does not require the circulation of liquid for cooling. Instead, a static heat of an inert gas is used to pressurize the space between the seals. Nitrogen gas in normally used to create the barrier between the process liquid and the environment. The gas barrier pressure is normally 20 to 30 psi/1.4 to 2 bar above the seal chamber pressure. The spiral groove geometry of the seal face is responsible for lift-off and separation of the seal f...

[Read more...]

Understanding the Causes of Pump Shaft Breakage

By NTS. Pump shafts are essential in many industrial and commercial applications, providing the necessary mechanical force to move fluids through pipelines and process systems. However, when a pump shaft breaks, it can cause significant downtime, production losses, and safety risks. In this article, we will explore the common causes of pump shaft breakage and how to prevent it from occurring. 1. Excessive Load The most common cause of pump shaft breakage is excessive load. When a pump is overloaded, it places a significant amount of stress on the shaft, causing it to bend, warp, or break. Overloading can be caused by a variety of factors such as a clogged discharge line, worn impeller, or damaged bearings. Proper maintenance, regular inspections, and monitoring of the pump's performance can help prevent overloading. 2. Misalignment If the pump and motor are not properly aligned, it can cause stress on the pump shaft and lead to breakage. Misalignment can occur due ...

[Read more...]

Industrial Maintenance Solutions

Search This Blog