Performance parameters for a reciprocating pump including pulsation energy, temperature energy, solids, Miller number and chemical energy and the like are monitored and employed to at least periodically compute a total energy number over the operating life of the pump. The current computed value is compared to a predictive failure value empirically determined for the respective pump design, to determine when failure is likely to be imminent. Scheduling of maintenance with other pumping operations and objective rating of competing designs is possible based on the total energy number.