How to check Maintanace cycle configure in our landscape?

HI Gurus

Can any body explain what is Maintanace Cycle and how to check Maintanace Cycle is configured in our landscape are not?

We have a test CHARM in Production we just transported fron Development for testing it is giving error that

No maintenance cycle is open for the current system .

Please advice me

Points will be awarded for helpful answer

Thanks

Bhaskar