Which of the following is NOT a goal of Design for Maintainability?

The focus of Design for Maintainability (DfM) is primarily on enhancing the ease and efficiency of maintenance processes throughout an asset's lifecycle. The main goals involve ensuring that assets operate reliably, can be maintained efficiently, and can adapt to changing operational conditions without incurring excessive downtime or costs.

Preventing unexpected breakdowns is a key component of DfM, as it aims to enhance the reliability and longevity of assets by designing systems that reduce the likelihood of failure. Similarly, coping with changed environments ensures that assets remain functional and safe, even when external conditions vary, thus supporting continuous operation and productivity.

Maximizing asset efficiency and safety is also a critical objective of DfM; this goal ensures that maintenance practices align with operational efficiency, thereby reducing downtime and enhancing safety protocols during maintenance tasks.

In contrast, minimizing the initial cost of production does not align with the goals of DfM. While cost considerations are important in overall asset management, focusing solely on reducing initial costs may compromise the design and functionality that support maintainability, leading to higher long-term maintenance costs and reduced asset performance. Therefore, D is correctly identified as not being a goal of Design for Maintainability.