Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to use well-established methodology strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis - in order to identify the important factors for reliability centered maintenance (RCM) implementation. Design/methodology/approach - The paper demonstrates a SWOT analysis for different 19 frameworks of RCM to make a strategic decision for implementing RCM in different organizations. The various 19 frameworks are grouped together into three clusters, namely Group A, Group B and Group C based on their qualitative or theoretical, quantitative and practical approach, respectively. Findings - The strengths and weaknesses are identified by internal factors while the opportunities and threats are identified by external factors of an organization for each group of frameworks. Also, it was observed that each group of frameworks has a unique set of strengths and weaknesses. Research limitations/implications - In this paper, the SWOT analysis for RCM implementation is limited to the comparison of various 19 RCM frameworks which are available in literatures and based on internal or external factors of an organization. Practical implications - The SWOT analysis also suggests that the implementation of RCM is not an easy task for any practitioner and one should weigh in all the opportunities and threats before arriving at any strategic decision. Originality/value - A unique approach applied to analysis the frameworks of RCM. The SWOT analysis of various RCM frameworks will help the practitioner to take any strategic decision for RCM implementation in an organization. © 2016 Emerald Group Publishing Limited.