The Preventive Maintenance Lifecycle
The Preventive Maintenance Lifecycle article highlights how comprehensive training, as explained by Interplay Learning’s Dan Clapper, is essential to reducing costly unplanned downtime by enhancing maintenance team skills throughout assessment, planning, execution, and continuous improvement phases, thereby improving equipment reliability, operational efficiency, and safety.
How Training Drives Uptime, Efficiency, and Reliability
Unplanned downtime costs companies an average of $25,000 per hour — and for larger organizations, that number can be up to 20 times higher. Much of this downtime is preventable. A strong preventive maintenance (PM) strategy can drastically reduce equipment failures, boost efficiency, and extend asset lifespan. However, even the best plans require a properly trained maintenance team to succeed.
Interplay Learning’s Head of Business and Learner Outcomes, Dan Clapper, discusses the entire Preventive Maintenance Lifecycle. From assessment and planning to execution and continuous improvement, Dan explains how training impacts every phase and how to turn your team into a powerful force for reliability and safety.
You’ll Learn:
- The must-have elements of a high-performing preventive maintenance strategy
- How investing in training leads to fewer breakdowns, faster repairs, and safer operations
- Practical next steps to upskill your maintenance team for better PM execution
Meet the Speakers
Dan Clapper – Head of Learner and Business Outcomes, Interplay Learning
Dan Clapper focuses on bridging the gap between technical training and measurable business impact. With 25 years of experience in the skilled trades, Dan has worked across the HVAC and facilities maintenance industries in roles spanning installation, sales, distribution, and workforce development. He brings a unique perspective on how training directly influences performance, efficiency, and operational success.
Dan is passionate about helping organizations build highly skilled, adaptable teams by implementing training strategies that reduce downtime, improve safety, and drive long-term business outcomes. His expertise in technical training, professional development, and operational efficiency enables him to help businesses maximize the value of their training programs and create a stronger, more capable workforce.
MJ Gerhard – Account Executive, Interplay Learning
MJ Gerhard is a seasoned training solutions expert in workforce development and technical education. At Interplay Learning, he helps facilities maintenance teams implement scalable, hands-on digital training that builds real-world skills and improves team performance.
MJ has worked across a range of industries—including facilities, skilled trades, and public sector organizations—giving him a deep understanding of the challenges maintenance teams face today. He is passionate about helping leaders close skills gaps and future-proof their workforce.
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