Appendix J: Work Order System and Codes

Overview

Starting a work order system is the most important improvement one can make to a maintenance program. The work order system is the process by which the maintenance manages all plant maintenance work. The system assists the plant in keeping track of, prioritizing, planning, scheduling, analyzing, and controlling maintenance work. The plant must have a viable work order system as a foundation to planning.

This appendix illustrates a typical manual a company would use to document its work order process. Notes have been inserted to call attention to particular details. Example work orders throughout this book have used the codes from this appendix. The manual should primarily illustrate the work order form, the work order process, and identify the codes used in the system. As a CMMS becomes developed, it is not unreasonable to expect that the CMMS could contain the essentials of the work order manual and replace it.

This example company uses a paper work order system for persons that originate work orders. A clerk enters the work orders into the CMMS system. The plant is currently considering creating a CMMS screen to resemble its work order form and allowing persons to enter their own work orders directly into the system.

It is a good idea to have a document that sets forth the rules of using work orders. It is not necessary that the document be exceedingly thick.

Company Work Order System Manual

Introduction

The work order system is the process which the Maintenance Department uses to manage all plant maintenance work. The work order system assists the plant in keeping track of, prioritizing, planning, scheduling,...