Common Mistakes Maintenance Managers Make (Part 3 of 3)

Over the past two articles, we've explored some of the most common — and costly — mistakes that maintenance managers make, from ignoring preventive maintenance to underestimating the importance of team communication and leadership. We’ve seen how these missteps can quietly erode reliability, inflate costs, and leave organizations playing catch-up. In this final installment, we turn our focus to mistakes that are often overlooked but just as impactful: failure to modernize, poor contractor collaboration, lack of contingency planning, and treating data as an afterthought. As the maintenance field becomes increasingly data-driven and digitally integrated, avoiding these pitfalls is no longer optional — it's essential for long-term success. Let’s dive into the final five mistakes and see how technology and smart strategy can help managers stay ahead of the curve.