Concepts

Tasks

Settings

Entering Planning Information for a Work Order Task

This section explains how to enter information relating to the task’s date, material, and labor requirements.

You can enter planning information for work order tasks that have the status “New”, or “In planning”. A task’s general planning information includes the planned start and completion dates, the task’s estimated duration, and the date by which materials are required. You can also enter the name of the planner, the shutdown type, and select or change the primary trade for the task.

You can also add the material, labor (trade and service), and tool requirements for the task.

To Enter Planning Information

1.	Open the work order task.

2.	Make sure that editing is enabled.

3.	Select the Planning tab. This tab shows planning information including the list of requirements currently selected for the task.

Note: This tab is only available if the task’s work type includes planning information.

4.	Enter the following planning information for the task, as appropriate:

Setting Name

Description

Planned start date

The date and time that the work order task is planned to begin. This date provides information to the people scheduling and working on the task, and may affect how the task is scheduled. The system enters a default start date and time based on the current scheduling relationships for the task (listed on the Dependencies tab).

Estimated duration

Approximately how long the task will take to complete. APM uses this information when a task is placed on a schedule. You can enter an estimated duration. Or, if you have entered trade, tool, or time-based service requirements, you can have the system calculate a duration by selecting the Calculate estimated duration option. For standing work orders, you will usually enter a long duration, such as a year or more.

Calculate estimated duration

Select this option to have the system calculate the task’s estimated duration. The system sets the task’s estimated duration to the trade, tool, or service requirement with the longest total duration (Lag time plus the Required for time). If you clear this option you can enter an estimated duration directly. Note: This option is only available if trade, tool, or time-based service requirements have been added to the task. For example, you have a task with three trade requirements: • One mechanic: 4 hours, 0 lag (4 hours total) • One electrician: 2 hours, 3 hour lag (5 hours total) • One mechanic: 2 hours, 5 hour lag (7 hours total) The third requirement has the longest combined required-for and lag times. As a result, when the estimated duration is calculated, the system sets the task’s duration to seven hours.

Planned completion date

The current planned completion date for this work order task. This should be the date that you expect the task will be finished. When the work order has the status “Planned”, “Scheduled”, or “Work in progress”, the date can only be edited if you click the Change Date button. This date provides information to the people scheduling and working on the task.

Materials required by

The date that the resources need to be available for the task to be started. Each task can have a different resource requirement date. For example, a new part might be needed only after other tasks have been completed. You can use this setting to let buyers and warehouse staff know when the materials are needed.

Planner

The employee who is responsible for planning the work order task.

Shutdown type

The type of shutdown during which this work order task will be completed. Select an appropriate shutdown type from the list.

Shutdown

The specific shutdown period in which the task is to be performed. You can use this setting to identify work that has been planned for a particular shutdown.

Primary trade

If you have added trades to the task, the system selects the first trade added as the Primary Trade for the task. If necessary, you can select a different trade as the primary trade. This reference allows you to sort and filter lists of tasks by primary trade.

5.	Save the task.

6.	You can now enter the trade, service, material and tool requirements for the task. For more information, see:

•	Adding Trades to a Work Order Task

•	Adding Job Contractors to a Work Order Task

•	Adding Services to a Work Order Task

•	Adding Warehouse Items to a Work Order Task

•	Adding Materials to be Purchased to a Work Order Task

•	Adding Tools to be Issued from a Warehouse to a Work Order Task

•	Adding Tool or Equipment Rentals to a Work Order Task

•	Adding Tool Purchase Requirements to a Work Order Task