Performance evaluation and benchmarking for maintenance decision making units at petrochemical corporation using a DEA model

In petrochemical plants, the main objective of any maintenance unit is to have a smooth and uninterrupted operation. Measuring the efficiency of maintenance units is vital to maintenance managers. It enables them to assess the success of their plans, the performance of their staff, and the utilization of resources. This study measures the relative efficiency of maintenance units within one of the major petrochemical companies in Saudi Arabia. It uses available indicators that were never put together before to provide a comprehensive view of unit performance which enables effective benchmarking. The study also uses one output and three input indicators using Efficiency Measurement System (EMS) software that utilizes a data envelopment analysis (DEA) approach. Data were collected and analyzed over a 6-month period covering 23 maintenance units. The analysis resulted in identifying low- and high-performer maintenance units. Low-performer units were benchmarked with high performers to identify gaps in order to improve their efficiency. The main contribution of this paper is the ability to evaluate performance of multiple inputs and outputs simultaneously and objectively.