What does the abbreviation "PM" stand for in maintenance terminology?

In maintenance terminology, "PM" stands for Preventative Maintenance. This term refers to the proactive approach businesses and organizations employ to maintain equipment and facilities. The goal of preventative maintenance is to reduce the likelihood of equipment failures through regular, scheduled maintenance activities, rather than waiting for a failure to occur before addressing potential issues. This strategy helps to extend the lifespan of equipment, minimize downtime, and ultimately enhance operational efficiency.

While other terms like Primary Maintenance, Periodic Management, and Progressive Maintenance may exist in specific contexts, they do not capture the fundamental focus of addressing maintenance needs before failure, as "Preventative Maintenance" does. Therefore, it is crucial for those involved in maintenance management to understand and correctly use the terminology to implement effective maintenance practices.