• Every Maximo consultant must know about their client before managing service or implementing a change.
• However, this may not kindle interest to a technical consultant or Developer. They are usually more excited about customizing an integration, developing automation scripts etc., but less interested in learning the intricacies of Asset Management or understanding the client’s operations.
• Here are few methods to make the Functional learning interesting and easy.

Study your client: 

• Functional knowledge is meaningful only if it has business context. Hence, knowing about client’s business is crucial.
• Finding answers to below questions, would help to gain business context.
  • What is their core business? Like Transportation, Electricity, Banking, Hospital etc.
  • What are the applications and modules used by our client?
  • Find the Custom and Out of the Box applications used by client.
  • Who are the end users of those applications? Technicians, Managers, Third party vendors etc.

Read Maximo Records: 

This is another effective way to get the 'Business Perspective'.

• Maximo records are artifacts of business transaction.
• Maser data suggests the client’s core business details. Example: Assets, Companies, Items etc.
• Transactional data such as work order; purchase requisition follow a cycle. Reading the description, worklog notes, status changes etc. can help us to understand what the client does on day-to day basis. 

Explore Maximo data structure: 

Maximo applications are interconnected at various levels. If we drill down from Modules, Applications to granular level of data fields, then Maximo will reveal the meaning and functional goal behind each component.

• Explore the various Objects (tables) & connection between them.
• Most importantly, knowing the purpose of each object, field is essential to before working on an implementation or a change request.
• Why: A simple change like ‘conditionally enabling a checkbox’, may not interest a ‘Maximo Developer’, but it can weigh a lot of business value; and fault in this functionality may result adverse impact and rework to business.

Learn via Configurations: 

Custom and OOB Applications:

·  What are the 'Custom Applications' used by client? Why are they used?          

·   How is it different from Out of the Box? Why couldn't we achieve via OOB features?

Ask the above questions and find answers. Discuss with client and suggest improvements.

Scrutinize the workflow:

• Workflows are an effective way to understand the business process. It gives a straightforward representation of business flow at granular level.

Maximo status (Synonym domain):

·      Every status of Maximo record denotes part of Asset Management cycle.

·      Understand the process behind  each status.

·      Differentiate custom status with OOB and find out why is it used.

Integration:

·     Although Maximo can function as standalone system, most often it is needed to interact with other systems of financial, work management, people management etc.

·     Understanding those external systems and transaction data help us to understand the client’s business better.

·     As the below questions and find answers; Discuss with your client with suggestions to improve.

o   What are the systems, data integrated with Maximo?

o   What is the Frequency of transaction

o   Is there a better way to do it? with simpler, faster means?

Reports:

• BIRT reports, KPI charts are also effective way to study and understand business process.

Analyze & Ask: 

·        Analyze each part of implementation.

·        Explore the Maximo resources at IBM forums.

·        Then ask, “Is there a better way to do it?”  via

o   Configuration change / Customization / Upgrade

Be updated: 

·        Keep learning about latest available & upcoming versions on Maximo.

·        Earn IBM badges , Certifications.

Beyond Maximo: 

·        Explore the 'EAM' concepts such as Asset Life cycle, Procurement process, Work order Management, Char-of account etc. beyond Maximo.

·        Understand 'What does it really mean in business world'?

Learn everyday: 

ü  Every Fix, Change, Implementation could be a way to expand our functional knowledge.