Wrench Time Wonder

Question: What is the quickest way to improve wrench time?

Answer: Short repairs during PMs (defined as short but complete repairs on problems found during PMs that are done during the PM).

To see how this works let's list the activities of a PM from soup to nuts.

Activity

Get job assignment

Move truck (equipment) from yard (dead line) to bay

Lock out tag out –make it safe

Collect special tools and equipment

Locate, check and collect parts, materials

Travel to job with materials and tools (field and infrastructure)

Quick safety walk down

Perform work (this is the only real wrench time)

Clean up work area on truck

Unlock, un-Tag

Move truck to go line, return to operations

Return tools and excess materials

Do paperwork, work order, closing comments

There are 13 activities and only 1 is productive. One thing is clear. When we can do a second or third planned job on the same asset we would add mostly to the “perform work” time. Let’s put some times into the blocks and see if you agree or not:

Activity	Doing PM only in minutes	PM + 60 minute short repair
Get job assignment	10	10
Move equipment to work bay or go to equipment	25	25
Lock out tag out	15	15
Collect special tools and heavy equipment	30	30
Locate, check and collect parts, materials	60	60
Travel to job with materials and tools (field and infrastructure)	5	5
Quick safety walk down	10	10
Perform work	90	90+60 = 150
Clean up work area	10	15
Unlock, un-Tag	10	10
Move equipment, return to operations	15	15
Return tools and excess materials	10	10
Do paperwork, work order, closing comments	10	15
Totals	90/300=30%	150/370=40%

Wow, 25% increase in wrench time for that job.

Another advantage

One advantage is that the PM inspectors feel trusted and take greater ownership of the health of the equipment.

There are 5 rules for short repairs

You have to set a maximum time depending on the size of your facility and your type of equipment. Usually the limit is 15 minutes to as long as an hour are common.
The repair must be able to be done safely with the tools that the PM person has with them.
The last rule is that PM mechanic must be already carrying any necessary materials or parts
Of course, the mechanic must have the skills
If in your organization the scope of work on the permit has to be followed and if changed, the permit has to be reissued then short repairs are not for you

Important to code the extra time as CM and not PM on work order if possible

Disadvantages to short repairs that should be known and managed:

The skill requirement for PM people for short repairs is significantly higher than for just PM
Short repairs require significant judgment (so the short repair doesn’t turn into a long repair or isn’t too disruptive)
One thing that you need to accept is that short repairs cause schedule disruptions

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