Tips for Using Work Orders

Use template work orders to save time when adding repetitive jobs such as PMs, inspections, brake jobs, engine tune-ups, engine rebuilds, tire repairs, putting a vehicle in-service, component rebuilding, and vehicle washes. The use of templates helps to standardize work orders, and if you use PM templates, work orders can even be automatically created for PMs due! Refer to "Template Work Orders" later in this chapter and "Auto-Creating PM Work Orders" for additional information.
Use work order checklists. Checklists standardize the steps that need to be performed for a job and help prevent tasks from being forgotten. Checklist can be added to template work orders and brought forward when work orders are created. Checkboxes for each item can be clicked to indicate OK or Fail status. The checklist can be printed separately or jointly with the shop work order.
Assign part kits to jobs that always use the same set of parts like oil changes or putting a vehicle in service. By doing so, parts pick lists can be printed to help mechanics quickly gather the needed parts. Refer to "Part Kits" for additional information.
Post part kits to jobs when possible. When part kits are set up, you simply post one entry for the part kit to post all the components in the part kit to the work order. This saves dozens of keystrokes for a single work order and thousands of keystrokes in no time at all!