In brief
Obsolescence management detects component discontinuations early and plans measures so that plants stay operational without original parts.
Contents
What is Obsolescence management?
The international standard IEC 62402, published in Germany as DIN EN IEC 62402, describes obsolescence management as a process across the entire life cycle of a product or plant. The basis is a complete list of installed components with manufacturers and part numbers. This is regularly compared with life-cycle information, such as discontinuation notices and availability data.
A distinction is made between reactive and proactive strategies. Reactive action is taken when a discontinuation occurs: buying remaining stock, searching for alternative sources, qualifying alternative parts or repairing. Proactively, risks are already taken into account during design and procurement, for example through standard components, multiple sources of supply, stockholding agreements and planned modernisation.
For each component at risk, a measure is chosen that takes into account cost, risk and the remaining service life of the plant. The result is an obsolescence plan that specifies when to stock up, when to retrofit and when to use an alternative.
In practice: maintenance and procurement
A pragmatic starting point is to assess a plant's critical components by supply status and consequence of failure. This list alone shows where a last time buy or a review of alternatives is urgent.
Synonyms and abbreviations: DMSMS (diminishing manufacturing sources and material shortages) · end-of-life management · obsolescence risk management
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between proactive and reactive obsolescence management?
Reactive obsolescence management only acts when a discontinuation becomes known or a part is no longer available, for example by buying remaining stock or searching for alternatives. Proactive obsolescence management monitors life cycle data continuously, assesses risks in advance and plans measures before shortages arise. It takes obsolescence into account as early as design and procurement. The proactive approach involves more effort but prevents expensive emergency solutions.
What measures are there for discontinued parts?
Common measures are a final stocking purchase (last time buy), searching for remaining stock through other sources of supply, qualifying equivalent alternative parts, repairing or reconditioning existing parts, and converting to new components. Which option fits depends on the remaining service life of the plant, the criticality of the part, the costs and the effort involved in a technical change.
How do you get started with obsolescence management?
A good first step is a list of the components installed in important equipment, with manufacturer and part number. This is assessed by delivery status and consequences of failure, so that parts at risk become visible. Measures are defined and responsibilities assigned for the most critical items. The list should then be updated regularly and matched against manufacturers' discontinuation notices.