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6 WAYS TO INCREASE WRENCH TIME WITH YOUR MAINTENANCE TEAM

Tony Morsillo     Oct 2, 2023
In the world of maintenance, time is of the essence. The more time your
maintenance team spends working on repairs and maintenance tasks, the more
efficient your operation becomes. This is where the concept of "wrench time"
comes into play - it refers to the time technicians spend turning wrenches and
getting work done. Here are 6 ways that you can increase wrench time within your
maintenance team:
1. Have work orders assigned to them by the start of their shift
One of the key factors that can eat into wrench time is the delay in assigning
work orders to technicians. When they arrive for their shifts, they should
clearly know the tasks they must accomplish for the day (this can also be
discussed during a morning huddle). Having work orders ready in advance sets
your team up for success right from the start. Having a well-structured work
order system can significantly help in this regard. Utilize a computerized
maintenance management system (CMMS) for efficient work order creation,
assignment, and tracking. This way, technicians can access their assigned work
orders and get to work immediately without unnecessary delays.

For context, picture a situation where a technician arrives for their shift only
to find that there are no work orders assigned to them. They need clarification,
unsure of what tasks they should focus on. They might spend precious minutes
tracking down a supervisor or manager to assign them to work, further delaying
their productivity. By assigning work orders to technicians before their shift
begins, you eliminate this unnecessary downtime and ensure they can start
working immediately. This not only increases their productivity but also boosts
their morale and motivation. When employees feel prepared and supported, they
are likelier to perform at their best.

Implementing a well-structured work order system is crucial in achieving this
goal. A computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) is a powerful tool
that can streamline the process of work order creation, assignment, and
tracking. With a CMMS, supervisors can easily create work orders, prioritize
them, and assign them to specific technicians, ensuring that everyone knows
their responsibilities ahead of time.

Furthermore, a CMMS allows technicians to access their assigned tasks through a
user-friendly interface. They can view detailed instructions, maintenance
checklists, and any relevant documentation related to the work order. This
eliminates the need for manual handovers or searching for physical documents,
saving valuable time and reducing the risk of miscommunication. Additionally, a
CMMS provides real-time updates and notifications, informing technicians about
changes or updates to their assigned work orders. This ensures they always work
on the most up-to-date tasks and can adapt to unexpected changes or emergencies.

Assigning work orders to technicians by the start of their shift is essential
for maximizing their productivity and minimizing unnecessary downtime. By
implementing a well-structured work order system, such as a CMMS, you can ensure
that your team is set up for success right from the beginning of their workday.
So, invest in the right tools and processes to streamline work order management
and watch your team thrive.


2. Provide access to all asset information on mobile devices
Gone are the days when maintenance teams had to rely solely on printed manuals
and paperwork for asset information. Today, with the advent of mobile-enabled
CMMSs', it's easier than ever to provide technicians with instant access to
relevant asset information at their fingertips.

Equip your team with mobile devices or utilize a mobile app to access asset
logbooks, documentation, manuals, schematics, previous parts used, and other
critical information. Doing so eliminates the need for technicians to spend
valuable wrench time searching for information in physical files or desktop
computers. Having all relevant information at their fingertips saves time and
increases their efficiency in performing maintenance tasks.

Picture the scenario where a technician is working on a complex piece of
machinery, troubleshooting an issue that has never occurred before. In the past,
they would have to rely on their knowledge and experience or leaf through stacks
of printed manuals to find a solution. This could take hours, if not days,
delaying the repair process and causing unnecessary downtime.





However, with the ability to access asset information on mobile devices, the
technician can quickly search for the specific problem they are facing. They can
pull up relevant documentation on their phone or tablet, including step-by-step
guides and troubleshooting tips. This instant access to information empowers
technicians to make informed decisions and resolve issues more efficiently.

Furthermore, providing access to asset information on mobile devices allows for
real-time updates and collaboration. If a technician encounters a unique problem
and finds a solution, they can immediately update the documentation or share
their findings with the rest of the team. This ensures everyone can access the
most up-to-date information, preventing future technicians from encountering the
same problem and enabling continuous improvement.

Another advantage of mobile devices for accessing asset information is capturing
and sharing multimedia content. Technicians can take photos or videos of faulty
components, upload them to the system, and attach them to relevant asset
records. This visual documentation provides valuable context for future repairs
and helps identify recurring issues or patterns. Moreover, mobile devices offer
the convenience of portability.

Technicians can carry their devices wherever they go, allowing them to access
asset information in remote or hard-to-reach locations. Whether working on a
wind turbine in a remote field or conducting maintenance on an offshore oil rig,
accessing asset information on mobile devices ensures that technicians are
always equipped with the necessary resources.

To summarize, providing access to all mobile device asset information
revolutionizes maintenance teams' operations. It gives technicians instant
access to relevant documentation, saves time, increases efficiency, enables
real-time updates and collaboration, facilitates multimedia content sharing, and
ensures accessibility in any location. Embracing mobile technology in asset
management is a game-changer for maintenance operations, enhancing productivity
and delivering better outcomes.


3. Have parts kitted for any planned work
Another factor that can significantly impact wrench time is the necessary parts
and tools availability. It's frustrating for technicians to spend time searching
for the right parts or waiting for them to be delivered. To avoid such delays,
consider implementing a parts-kitting system.

Parts kitting involves preparing and organizing all the required parts, tools,
and materials for planned maintenance work in advance. When technicians arrive
at the job site, everything they need is readily available, allowing them to get
to work immediately. Again, many CMMS software applications have parts &
inventory functionality built-in to help with parts kitting.



4. Utilize a communication tool for parts needed on corrective maintenance
While planned maintenance tasks can be adequately prepared for in advance,
corrective maintenance is often unpredictable and requires quick action. In
these situations, it's essential to have an efficient communication system in
place for requesting and obtaining the necessary parts.

Implement a digital communication tool, such as a messaging app or a dedicated
maintenance platform, where technicians can quickly communicate their parts
needs to the supply chain team (this is how Zoidii CMMS does it). This enables
prompt procurement of parts, minimizing the time spent waiting and maximizing
the time spent on actual repairs. By streamlining the communication process, you
can ensure that your maintenance team has the resources to complete corrective
maintenance tasks efficiently.


5. Conduct morning huddles
Effective communication and coordination within the maintenance team are key to
maximizing wrench time. One way to facilitate this is by conducting morning
huddles. These brief meetings at the start of each shift allow the team to align
on priorities, address any concerns or issues, and ensure everyone is on the
same page. See our Secrets to great morning huddles blog post for more
information.


6. Provide ongoing training
Continuous improvement is essential in any maintenance operation, and ongoing
training is crucial. Investing in developing your maintenance team's skills and
knowledge empowers them to work more efficiently and effectively. Offer regular
training sessions, workshops, or online courses to keep your team updated on the
latest techniques, technologies, and best practices in the maintenance field.
This enhances their abilities and enables them to overcome challenges and reduce
downtime quickly. By prioritizing ongoing training, you create a culture of
learning and improvement, leading to increased wrench time and overall
maintenance team productivity.

In conclusion, increasing wrench time with your maintenance team requires a
proactive approach to eliminate inefficiencies and maximize productivity. By
assigning work orders at the start of shifts, providing access to asset
information on mobile devices, kitting parts for planned work, utilizing a
communication tool for parts needed on corrective maintenance, conducting
morning huddles, and providing ongoing training, you set your maintenance team
up for success. Implementing these strategies increases wrench time and improves
overall maintenance operations, ultimately enhancing asset reliability and
reducing downtime.

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