Choose a small, real scope
Begin with a group of devices and defined report types. Identify the machine, observation and recipient who decides further action.
There is no need to reconstruct the plant's complete history immediately. New information reaching the right place and supporting work matters more.
Complete the loop from signal to result
A report should lead to verification, any required work and an outcome record. Otherwise, the system becomes a problem list that people soon stop trusting.
Agree what the reporter sees afterwards too. Knowing that someone checked the issue helps preserve the purpose of collecting observations from people.
Integrate around missing information
A sensor may provide data unavailable through ordinary observation. First identify the decision it will support and who will respond.
For a plant director, CMMS can begin with team activity rather than a promise of automated diagnosis. Clearly identified equipment and recorded actions create a foundation for later data sources. This also helps define which future measurements would add useful context instead of collecting signals without a purpose.