What are work order priorities? If we ask any given plant with a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS), if they have a well defined priority system, the answer is almost always, yes.
The question is, do they really?
Well, let’s define what a world-class priority system is, then why not use this “did you know” and check if your own priority system is of high quality or not?
Characteristics of a world-class work order priority system according to IDCON:
- The priority system obviously has a code or number to signify the importance of a work order. But, is there a set of rules that describes what type of work that can be classified as a high, medium and low priority?
- Does each work order priority code have a time limit attached to it? For example: Priority 1 will be started immediately, priority 2 within a week, priority 3 within a month etc?
- Are the priorities reviewed in a weekly/ daily planning and scheduling meeting JOINTLY by operations and maintenance? (If not, there is little chance to effectively coordinate the production schedule with the maintenance schedule).
- Work orders are not over prioritized by strong individuals in the planning and scheduling meetings since there are a set of rules that describes what type of work that can be classified as a high, medium and low priority.
- Are there high priority work orders older than 3 months in your system? If so, your plant probably has a tendency to over prioritize work orders.
Good luck with defining and using a priority system.
