The productivity experts across the globe pin down time spent on actual maintenance tasks, by mobile workforce somewhere between 20% to 35%. These numbers surely look quite concerning. Where is the rest of the time going? Studies show that the technicians spend a significant amount of time in administrative tasks, waiting for information, waiting for permissions or on break.
The silver lining is that with right focus, disciplined approach and right supporting tools, the wrench time can be increased more than double.
Typically, maintenance teams cite different reasons that reduce the technician productivity. These include significant time loss because of technicians travelling to the administration office multiple times for updating the status of the tasks as well as getting the new tasks assigned to them. Several times they have to wait for availability of spare parts as well as tools like cranes. Sometimes approvals for starting the work takes longer than expected. Wrong assignment of tasks or skill mismatch can delay the start of the work. Technicians sometimes cannot carry on tasks on time as they may not have the SOPs or designs or past history of the equipment handy.
These multiple issues can be tackled with a two pronged approach which may help in increasing the wrench time by more than 100%. These tools can also help in first time closure rate significantly.
First, the planners can work towards prioritising, planning and dispatching of tasks with real-time information instead of archaic and cumbersome ways of going through several different tools. They can check availability of spare parts, tools, permits in place, availability of technicians including if they are overloaded or not, skill match of the technicians, dependency with other tasks etc. This process can become a discipline and easy to follow, if supported systematically by smart tools. Second, a mobile solution for technicians where they can get all their current and planned task list, equipment locations and details, availability of spare parts, permits etc. In addition , it shall add significant value, if they can get SOPs, design documents or videos as well which they can access on their mobile phones. Ability to update the status of the tasks on the device will significantly reduce their need to go to the office.
Smarter technology which assists the planners and technicians and a disciplined approach can help organisations to achieve significant gains in technicians productivity and reach desired wrench time.
