EAM system coding structures are the most overlooked and underappreciated data elements in the maintenance management software system. This is unfortunate. If developed and applied correctly, they can help sort, group, and organize critical asset management information.
EAM system codes such as work order (WO) types, WO classes, how found, maintenance delay, equipment failure, inventory classes, etc. are all examples of EAM data coding structures that support asset management best practices.
EAM codes are critical to system reporting and analysis capabilities because they are at the core of many key performance indicators (KPIs). For example:
A KPI to measure emergency maintenance levels would target a WO Priority Code. Work Order Priority Codes are used to prioritize work, sort the Work Order Backlog, and facilitate development of Weekly and Daily Work Schedules.
A KPI to measure maintenance delays would target a WO Delay Code. Work Delay Codes are keyed by the Maintenance Technician to indicate the nature of delays encountered while working on a job. A Maintenance Planner’s primary responsibility is to identify sources of delay for the Maintenance Technician and eliminate them. To that end, the Maintenance Planner uses feedback from the Maintenance Technician and the Work Delay Codes to improve future maintenance planning efforts.
Developing distinctive and comprehensive EAM codes allows data to be viewed and reported in a variety of ways. EAM codes provide insight into maintenance, inventory, and procurement processes, turning transactional data into insightful and meaningful information. If you want to give your EAM system a turbo boost, develop a killer set of data coding structures.