Work Management 

Unlock up to 30% savings in maintenance costs with a significant improvement in work management!¹   

In the field of industrial maintenance, an effective strategy is more than just training staff or defining a core strategy. The real challenge lies in the execution of the work, a process that can be broken down into six key stages. These steps ensure effective management of maintenance tasks, from problem identification to complete resolution.

1. Work identification

The first step in the work management process is to identify potential problems. Using the defined maintenance strategy, routine inspections are scheduled. For example, a technician may spot a leak on a tank during a visual inspection. This anomaly then generates a work request or work order in the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS). Once this request has been created, it must be prioritized to be added to the scheduler’s task list.

2. Planning

Planning is a crucial stage, where the planner assesses the needs of the work order. Let’s take the example of replacing a seal on a gearbox. The planner estimates that this job will require between two and four hours work, and that a mechanic will be essential. An electrician may also be needed to lock and label the asset. The planner then reviews the bills of materials, orders and reserves the parts needed for the job, and may even request specific tools, such as an elevator.

3. Programming

Once planning is complete, we move on to the programming stage. This task is usually carried out by a programmer or maintenance supervisor. The programmer coordinates with production to determine the optimum time to perform the job. In the case of our example, he might choose a Saturday when an eight-hour production break is scheduled, allowing the seal to be replaced without disrupting production. He also ensures that the right technician, available on that day, is assigned to the task.

4. Execution

On the day in question, the designated technician, in our case Bob, takes the work order, the necessary parts, and heads out to the site. He shuts down and labels the equipment, replaces the seal, and then resumes production as normal. Bob also notes feedback on the work order, for example if there wasn’t enough time to complete the task, or if certain parts were missing. This feedback is essential to enable the planner to improve the planning of future similar jobs.

5. Follow-up

Once the job has been completed, follow-up is essential. The technician who initially identified the problem must check that the leak has been repaired. This follow-up highlights two important aspects of the process: the effectiveness of the maintenance strategy, and the ability to resolve problems quickly through effective planning and scheduling.

6. Managing unexpected breakdowns

Of course, unexpected failures can occur. In these situations of catastrophic failure, the planning and scheduling process is often bypassed, and repairs go straight to the point. However, proactive work management and preparation can minimize the impact of these unexpected failures.

Conclusion

The work management process in industrial maintenance is a continuous cycle of identification, planning, scheduling, execution and follow-up. Each step is crucial to ensuring that assets are maintained in good working order, thus minimizing production interruptions. By rigorously implementing these six steps, companies can not only solve problems quickly, but also prevent future breakdowns.

1. Title data source: Society for Maintenance & Reliability Professionals (SMRP)  ↩︎