Introduction
Operators serve as the frontline observers of your plant. Because they interact with equipment every day, they are usually the first to notice subtle changes—such as slight noises, shifts in vibration, unusual smells, or minor drops in performance—that may not yet be detected by sensors.
Industry research highlights that implementing operator-driven reliability (ODR) programs can dramatically reduce unplanned downtime. When operators report even minor irregularities early, maintenance teams can investigate and correct problems before they develop into major failures.


