Reactive Maintenance is considered a(n) __________ activity.

Reactive maintenance is characterized as a response to equipment failures after they occur rather than involving forward planning. It is unplanned because the work required arises unexpectedly when machinery or equipment breaks down, leading to the need for immediate attention to restore functionality. This type of maintenance does not follow a predetermined schedule; instead, it reacts to the current state of equipment.

In contrast to scheduled maintenance, which involves planning tasks at regular intervals, or preventive maintenance, which aims to prevent failures through routine checks and actions, reactive maintenance operates on a fix-it-when-it-breaks basis. Therefore, it inherently lacks a planned approach, making it unplanned by nature. Understanding this fosters a clearer vision of maintenance strategies and helps businesses to consider integrating more proactive or preventive maintenance methods to reduce the frequency and impact of unexpected equipment failures.