Cyclical repair and planned maintenance programmes often run in parallel. The key difference is that planned maintenance works to keep assets and facilities working before they reach end-of-life. Cyclical repairs involve replacing assets, or components of assets, as they reach end-of-life to avoid problems related to outdated and old equipment.

Planned maintenance works by continually monitoring the wear and tear of assets on a scheduled basis to proactively avoid future outages and keep facilities in good working condition. Cyclical repairs involve repairing or replacing assets on a set schedule as they reach end-of-life.

Planned maintenance can occur on a weekly, monthly, or annual basis. It may involve regular cleaning, checking of parts and fixing or replacing components that are becoming worn. A cyclical repair timetable will depend entirely on the individual shelf life of each asset. This could range from one to 25 years.