Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to develop the steps required for establishing and running cost-effective condition-based maintenance (CBM) exemplified for vibration-based maintenance (VBM) and compared with real implementations in case companies.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study is based on published knowledge and experience within condition monitoring (CM) and CBM, and three case studies.

Findings

– The study has shown that all three case companies are in a big need for systematic procedures for doing right things right, in the right time cost-effectively (establishing and running a cost-effective CBM).

Research limitations/implications

– The paper focuses on development of cost-effective CBM exemplified for VBM. Also, the case companies belong to three branches: paper and pulp mills, energy producer and engineering manufacturing. The case companies have different levels in applying CBM/VBM, experience and knowledge in CM and CBM.

Practical implications

– Systematic procedures for establishing CBM/VBM policy are developed, motivated and discussed in a way which enables the user to establish and run CBM/VBM policy cost-effectively.

Originality/value

– The steps of establishment of CBM/VBM provide a unique model for companies to establish and run cost-effective maintenance its originality.