Before a maintenance organization can begin to computerize, it needs to set up a method of collecting the information, discussed in Chapter 2. The basic system used to enable a maintenance organization to collect and organize this information is the work order. The work request or notification is a form that is used to initiate a request for maintenance work. Once the work request or notification is approved, it becomes the work order. The work order should produce information on the following:

• Maintenance performance

• Maintenance costs

• Equipment history

By using this information carefully, the maintenance organization should be able to issue maintenance budget forecasts allowing the various areas serviced to plan for the necessary maintenance expenditures.

In addition to the preceding objectives, the work order should also be capable of providing the following:

• A method for requesting maintenance services

• A method to record maintenance tasks and their start and completion dates

• A method of identifying the type of work to be performed

• A method of providing detailed instructions for each step of the job to be performed

• A method of authorizing work when the costs will exceed a certain level

• A method of planning and scheduling the work

• A method of assigning the work to the craftsmen

• A method of recording the use of special tools and materials

• A method of recording labor and materials costs

• A method of generating reports that can measure labor and supervision efficiency

• A method of generating reports that allow for cost...