The following are definitions for each of the work sampling study categories. Note that other categories are left available to capture special situations that clearly would not fall into set categories.

( Note: As studies progressed, occasional activities were observed which did not fall neatly into one of the predefined categories. When necessary, after consulting with either the maintenance supervisor or maintenance manager, a category was selected and an appropriate category clarification was made in these instances. The criteria for altering a classification are usually twofold. First, preference is given to the benefit of the craft technicians, i.e., gives them credit for more wrench time. It is very important to bend over backwards to avoid giving unnecessary criticisms of the study by the crafts themselves. Second, the work sampling categories are mindful not to include in direct work time, wrench time, any activity in which the planner could leverage planning time and avoid a larger delay later in the field.

In addition, as electrical crafts and I&C crafts were included in subsequent studies to the initial mechanical studies, the categories also evolved somewhat. For example, frequently I&C work requires careful study of plant controls schematics; and while a planner finding technical drawing data could probably help a field mechanic save time later, an I&C planner doing too much beyond drawing identification would only be duplicating what the I&C field technician would later have to do. Electrician and I&C research of drawings is considered wrench time, but not for mechanical crafts. To avoid confusion, a consistent set of classifications is used as presented below and represents the most current evolution...