Work Order Management Process: A Step-by-Step Guide
Efficient work order management is the cornerstone of successful maintenance operations. This process ensures that maintenance is completed on time, resources are used efficiently, and assets remain in good working condition.
In this mini-guide, we’ll explore the details of the work order management process and provide actionable suggestions to make this process more efficient. Further, we’ll introduce the advantages of using a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) with advanced work order management capabilities, like LLumin’s CMMS+.
The Work Order Management Process
Previously, work orders were mostly paper-based, meaning they were issued on paper and distributed to maintenance personnel, who would complete the task. This, however, can result in errors, difficulties tracking task completion and duration, limitations in distributing necessary safety and maintenance information, and information loss (in the case of lost work orders or lost details on what was accomplished at time of work).
Centralized systems, like LLumin’s CMMS+, now allow employees and other company stakeholders to track the work order management process from start to finish. |
Work orders are typically detailed instructions that outline maintenance tasks, repairs, or inspections that must be completed on time. They serve several critical functions, including:
- Documentation: Work orders provide a written record of maintenance activities, which is essential for compliance, audits, historical reference and knowledge sharing, and very importantly, costs.
- Prioritization: They help prioritize maintenance tasks based on urgency, safety, and criticality, ensuring that the most important work is addressed first.
- Resource Allocation: Work orders specify the required materials, equipment, and labor, enabling efficient resource allocation.
Steps in the Work Order Process
The work order process consists of several critical steps that guide maintenance and facility management activities. Each step is critical in ensuring maintenance tasks are initiated, executed, documented, and analyzed.
The work order process typically involves the following steps:
| 1. Initiation | |
|---|---|
| 2. Planning and Scheduling | 3. Execution |
| 4. Completion and Documentation | 5. Review and Analysis |
1. Initiating Work Orders: The process begins with initiating work orders. These work orders can originate from various sources, including employee maintenance requests or automated alerts from LLumin’s CMMS+. Whether it’s a request for routine maintenance or a response to an unexpected issue, the initiation stage is where it all starts.
2. Planning and Scheduling: The next step is planning and scheduling once a work order is initiated. This phase involves defining the scope of the maintenance task, estimating the time required for completion, and assigning it to the appropriate personnel.
3. Execution: With the plan in place, it’s time for execution. This is where the maintenance task itself is performed. Skilled technicians and maintenance personnel put the plan into action, carrying out repairs, inspections, or other required activities.
4. Completion and Documentation: Once the maintenance task is completed, it’s essential to document the results. This includes recording observations during the task, documenting the parts and materials used, and tracking the expended labor hours. Documentation is crucial in future maintenance planning.
5. Review and Analysis: Maintenance teams focus on review and analysis after closing the work order. Reviewing past work helps maintenance teams refine their processes and improve performance.
Recommendations for Improved Efficiency
These strategies have been tried and tested, and when combined with LLumin’s CMMS+ system, they can result in significant productivity and resource utilization gains.
| Prioritize Work Orders | Implement a system for prioritizing work orders based on factors like safety, asset criticality, and regulatory requirements. This ensures that high-priority tasks are addressed first. |
|---|---|
| Automation | Utilize LLumin’s CMMS+ system to automate the generation of work orders. This will streamline the process and reduce the risk of manual errors. |
| Schedule Maintenance | Implement preventive maintenance schedules within your CMMS+. Regularly scheduled maintenance reduces the likelihood of unexpected breakdowns and prolongs asset life. |
| Mobile Access | Equip maintenance teams with mobile devices to access and update work orders in real time. This will enhance communication and efficiency. |
| Inventory Management | Integrate inventory management into your work order process. Ensure that necessary parts and materials are readily available for work orders. |
| Performance Metrics | Use Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to measure the efficiency and effectiveness of your work order management process. Identify areas for improvement based on data analysis. |
LLumin’s CMMS+ for Work Order Management
LLumin’s cloud-based, mobile-ready CMMS+ platform provides advanced work order management capabilities that can completely transform your maintenance operations. We’ve included some of LLumin’s top benefits below.
| Streamlined Workflow | LLumin’s CMMS+ automates work order creation, assignment, and tracking, lowering administrative costs and improving response times. |
|---|---|
| Enhanced Communication | With mobile access, maintenance teams can receive and update work orders on the go, improving communication and response to urgent tasks. |
| Decisions Based on Data | LLumin’s CMMS+ provides valuable insights through data analytics, helping maintenance managers make informed decisions rather than by instinct. |
| Preventive Maintenance | Implement preventive maintenance schedules easily, reducing unplanned downtime and extending asset life. |
| Inventory Control | Manage parts and materials efficiently, ensuring that the right items are available when needed. |
Unlock Your Full Potential With LLumin’s CMMS+
Work order management is crucial for maintaining assets, ensuring compliance, and optimizing resources. By following actionable recommendations and leveraging the advanced capabilities of systems like LLumin’s CMMS+, maintenance teams can improve their effectiveness and contribute to the overall success of their organizations.
Getting Started With LLumin
LLumin develops innovative CMMS software to manage and track assets for industrial plants, municipalities, utilities, fleets, and facilities. If you’d like to learn more about the total effective equipment performance KPI, we encourage you to schedule a free demo or contact the experts at LLumin to see how our CMMS+ software can help you reach maximum productivity and efficiency goals.
Take a Free Tour
Ed Garibian, founder, and CEO of LLumin Inc., is an experienced executive and entrepreneur with demonstrated success building award-winning, growth-focused software companies. He has an impressive track record with enterprise software and entrepreneurship and is an innovator in machine maintenance, asset management, and IoT technologies.