Meaningful Work Order Closing Comments: WIIFM?
July 7, 2021 | By Erika Mazza
The important thing is that the job was done and completed.
Job plans already described what is supposed to be done.
Why add more details to the work order?
Wrench time is more important than time on the keyboard.
No one looks at that stuff, etc….
These are some of the common thoughts that go through your staff’s mind when finishing a job. They’re always told to add closing comments to the work order. It’s not a secret that closing comments are one of the most neglected fields on a work order but one of the most important when looking back at the asset history.
The problem is that our primary source of data — technicians, millwrights, work order executers in general — do not see the value of spending extra time describing what they just did, as they believe that once a work order is closed it’s gone.
The truth is that they own this field in the CMMS and this little piece of information is the greatest value to them than to anyone else. If it contains what was actually done at that time, it will allow them to look back in time and have a reference to troubleshoot and resolve the problem the next time a similar problem comes around.
It will actually free up memory space in their brains to focus on other important things. It will help communicate between shifts, cover their back, and enable continuous improvement as their feedback could optimize job plans, making their life easier, making them look good.
Closing comments don’t need to be lengthy. Short bullet points that summarize what was done will help everybody to understand better the story of the asset, especially when it is under their direct care. Create an easy way to locate records in the system and show your workforce how to find them.
Communicate to your CMMS users how important their feedback is. Review and act on it regularly. Worthwhile feedback will help everybody win.
Erika Mazza – Duffin Creek WPCP – erika.mazza@durham.ca
