During 1991 - 1993 the author interviewed approximately thirty senior managers of varying responsibilities in either the
engineering, construction or operation of a heavy industrial facility. The purpose of the exercise was to determine the
factors driving a deterioration of the working relationship between the engineering and the operating company following
practical completion of a major project. From the research a number of conclusions have been drawn as to the root cause
of the deteriorating relationship. For this paper we are drawing on this initial research and our ongoing experience of
solving problems of this nature to present some fundamentals that can be used to break the breakdown maintenance cycle.