How to Craft the Ideal Work Order in 8 Steps
Work orders are indispensable in maintenance management, particularly in sectors like manufacturing. To ensure optimal effectiveness, we’ve put together some recommended steps. Understand the basics of work orders to improve request handling.
Keep in mind that these are recommendations, and it’s crucial to cross-verify them with your organization’s specific guidelines or policies.
1Prioritize SOPs
- Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) bring consistency and reliability, vital in various industries.
- They ensure uniformity, efficiency, and quality in routine tasks.
- Visual elements aid in onboarding and training.
- Integral for pinpointing areas of improvement.
2Identify Work Order Purpose
- Clearly define whether it’s routine maintenance, preventive tasks, or addressing an unexpected issue.
- A concise description sets the foundation for effective communication and planning.
3Define the Problem Clearly
- Provide a detailed description of maintenance activities.
- Break down tasks into clear, concise actionable steps.
- Include information about requesters, approvers, assigned technicians, due dates, costs, and resources.
- Specify tools required, safety precautions, and any additional relevant information.
4Assign the Work Order
- Assign the right technician to each task.
- Include details such as the requester, approver, assigned technician, contact information, and availability.
5Schedule the Work Order
- Clearly define due dates and the time of day for task completion.
- Balancing urgency and realism ensures a well-managed schedule.
6Cost Estimates and Budget Allocation
- Integrate cost estimates for labor, materials, and other relevant expenses.
- Better budget management and cost control.
7Execute the Work Order
- Ensure the assigned technician has all the necessary information.
- Emphasize precision, attention to detail, and adherence to safety protocols.
8Review and Close the Work Order
- Review completed work against defined standards.
- Document issues, corrective actions, and areas for improvement.
- Close the work order, update records, and ensure thorough documentation for continuous improvement.
Put a Better Process in Place
eWorkOrders has supported maintenance operations for over 30 years, serving teams at Honda and King River Packaging, and rated 4.9 on both Capterra and G2. We configure the system around your assets and maintenance priorities in a single 90-minute to 2-hour session, with unlimited-user pricing so your entire team can use the system.
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About the author: Janet Jaquis is Marketing Director at eWorkOrders, where she writes about maintenance strategy, asset reliability, and CMMS software for maintenance and facility teams.
