Inventory Accuracy of Maintenance Assistance Modules (MAMS) on Ships Utilizing the Organizational Maintenance Management System - Next Generation (OMMS-NG)

Abstract

Proper inventory management is crucial to the success of a naval warship’s completion of mission tasking and maintenance operational readiness. All U.S. naval warships require a predetermined inventory of Maintenance Assistance Modules (MAMs) to test and identify broken parts within a weapons or engineering system when failures occur. Once a part is identified as broken, shipboard personnel order that part through the Navy Supply system and return the MAMs to their appropriate inventory location. These are high-value assets that require 100% inventory validity. Fleet Logistics Center San Diego has raised concerns due to declining inventory accuracy results of MAM inventories. This study contains an analysis of the differences in inventory management procedures between a variety of naval assets, ascertains the most efficient practice of inventory management, and presents possible explanations for the loss of these high value assets. The authors have determined that there is a disparity between a ship’s inventory validities and Type Commander’s (TYCOM’s) inventory validities due to an inadequate inventory management system and insufficient guidance in procedures and policies for managing MAMs.