Total Productive Maintenance with support of Integrated Product Support : An exploratory multiple-case study thesis

Sammanfattning

Purpose — This thesis analyses how Integrated Product Support elements and specifications can support Total Productive Maintenance by strengthening information management and information traceability within manufacturing. The thesis focuses on lifting solutions and mining machinery, while also drawing on consultancy expertise in lifecycle support. The purpose is to clarify how lifecycle-oriented support structures can complement operational maintenance practices and identify the structural and organisational challenges connected to such integration. Methods — The thesis applied an exploratory qualitative multiple-case study design. Empirical data were collected through eight semi-structured interviews with eleven participants from consultancy expertise, lifting solutions, and mining machinery contexts. The interviews were supported by a theoretical background covering Total Productive Maintenance, systems thinking, Integrated Product Support, and S-series specifications. The empirical material was manually transcribed and analysed through thematic analysis supported by NVivo. A predefined code structure based on the research questions and theoretical framework guided the coding process. Results — The findings show that current TPM practices support daily control, preventive maintenance, operator involvement, and improvement work. However, limitations were identified in fragmented information systems, incomplete documentation, limited software integration, weak configuration traceability, and unclear ownership of lifecycle information. The analysis indicates that selected IPS elements, particularly technical data, maintenance, supply support, training and training support, computer resources, sustaining engineering, and IPS management, can support TPM by providing more structured information flows, improved documentation control, and stronger traceability across the system lifecycle. The S-series specifications were found to offer potential support for standardised technical documentation, maintenance analysis, spare parts information, and operational feedback. Contribution/Value — The thesis contributes by positioning IPS as a lifecycle-oriented complement to TPM rather than a replacement. It provides practical insight into how manufacturing organisations with long system operational lifecycles can strengthen maintenance information management and information traceability. The thesis also highlights that successful integration requires management commitment, cross-functional coordination, clear data ownership, gradual implementation, and adaptation to organisational maturity.