Filling out workorders poorly is a machinery management cop-out!
One of the major problems we run into when trying to do analysis of our equipment to find problems and improve reliability is the lack of information. Things like down time, as found condition, time to repair, time waiting (for parts, information, tools, support, the machine, …), cause, parts used, etc. You get the idea.
I think it's a cop-out by management and supervision to say "they don't like paper work!" Sure they don't, but it's a critical part of the job and as professionals, they need to do it right. It’s our job as managers and supervisors to make it as easy as possible for them to do that.
And to hold them accountable if they don’t!
I'd like to see more attention paid to the work order format, especially on electronic wo's. We can set up drop down lists, radio buttons, etc. to capture the required information. Or on paper wo’s, we can have check lists. We also need to train the tech's how to write a simple declarative sentence to describe as found conditions and work done. Then set up the computer so they can't close out the job till complete information is collected. In addition, someone (planner, supervisor, ...) needs to QA the data collected on a periodic bases and hold the tech's accountable for correctly filling put the wo.
This is too important to ignore. If we are to maintain the competitiveness of US manufacturing, we need to become more professional in our approach. That means improving the information available to improve.
What ideas do you have that might help collect better data? What ideas have worked for you? Let everyone know in the comments and we might make some progress attacking this issue.
by In My Spare Time..