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Ecmweb 25635 Engineer Checking Work Order On Tablet Ipopba Istock Gettyimages973143870
Ecmweb 25635 Engineer Checking Work Order On Tablet Ipopba Istock Gettyimages973143870
Ecmweb 25635 Engineer Checking Work Order On Tablet Ipopba Istock Gettyimages973143870
Ecmweb 25635 Engineer Checking Work Order On Tablet Ipopba Istock Gettyimages973143870
Ecmweb 25635 Engineer Checking Work Order On Tablet Ipopba Istock Gettyimages973143870

Are Your Repairs Properly Documented?

Sept. 17, 2019
A standard practice is to have a work analyst or other person generate a work order in parallel with the repair.

Some repairs are scheduled, but more often they are performed in reaction to malfunction or failure, so time is critical.

Smart maintenance management means you issue a work order for any work that is done by maintenance. When there's a downtime response, you still need that work order so things can be properly documented in the CMMS.

This doesn't mean the responding technician has to wait until there's a printed work order in his hand before starting repairs. A standard practice is a work analyst or other person generates the work order in parallel with the repair. It's really a means of documenting the work, rather than directing the work (as a PM work order or project work order would do).

These days, it's less common for a work order to be on paper. The responding technician might get an alert on his wireless tablet that the work order is ready. This particular work order is designed specifically for documenting repairs. The originator of it has filled out the asset data already.

The technician can upload the “As Found” photos and test data using this work order. The work order will also facilitate recording the tech's troubleshooting steps, analysis comments, repair steps, as left photos, and as left test data.

About the Author

Mark Lamendola

Mark is an expert in maintenance management, having racked up an impressive track record during his time working in the field. He also has extensive knowledge of, and practical expertise with, the National Electrical Code (NEC). Through his consulting business, he provides articles and training materials on electrical topics, specializing in making difficult subjects easy to understand and focusing on the practical aspects of electrical work.

Prior to starting his own business, Mark served as the Technical Editor on EC&M for six years, worked three years in nuclear maintenance, six years as a contract project engineer/project manager, three years as a systems engineer, and three years in plant maintenance management.

Mark earned an AAS degree from Rock Valley College, a BSEET from Columbia Pacific University, and an MBA from Lake Erie College. He’s also completed several related certifications over the years and even was formerly licensed as a Master Electrician. He is a Senior Member of the IEEE and past Chairman of the Kansas City Chapters of both the IEEE and the IEEE Computer Society. Mark also served as the program director for, a board member of, and webmaster of, the Midwest Chapter of the 7x24 Exchange. He has also held memberships with the following organizations: NETA, NFPA, International Association of Webmasters, and Institute of Certified Professional Managers.

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