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Checklist Auto-generation of Corrective Maintenance Jobs

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Written by Faith Maldoner
Updated this week

In FieldEx, checklists, job templates, and task templates work together to automate corrective maintenance. When a technician submits an inspection checklist and selects an answer that indicates a failure (e.g., “Major leak present”), FieldEx can auto‑generate a corrective job using a pre‑configured Job Order Template. That template can preload faults, resolutions, tasks, and spare parts—so the follow‑up job is complete and ready to dispatch without planner intervention.

Overview: How Auto‑Generation Works


The auto‑generation flow links three configurable building blocks:

  1. Job Order Templates — define the corrective job’s defaults (type, faults, resolutions, tasks, spare parts).

  2. Task Templates — reusable tasks (each can include its own spare parts and instructions).

  3. Checklist Answer → Template Linkage — map specific answers (failure conditions) to job templates.

When a submitted checklist contains a linked failure answer, FieldEx automatically creates a job from the target template, attaches the relevant tasks and parts, and routes it according to your settings.

Why this matters: Automating corrective job creation shortens response times, standardises repair steps, and prevents missed follow‑ups—especially across distributed field teams.

Useful Pre‑requisites


  • Clearly defined failure conditions in your inspection checklists.

  • A library of Job Order Templates for common corrective scenarios (e.g., “Repair – Hydraulic Leak”).

  • Reusable Task Templates with step‑by‑step instructions and spare parts.

  • Appropriate user permissions to create jobs and view checklists.

Setting Up Job Order Templates


Path: Settings > Modules > Job Orders > Templates

  1. Create a New Job Template
    Click New, enter a Template Name (e.g., “Emergency Repair – Generator”), set Status to Active when ready.
    Tip: Use clear naming such as “Repair – HVAC Leak” or “Incident Repair – Lifting Gear” for easy filtering.

  2. Fill in Job Order Details

    • Name — Will be used as the job title on creation.

    • Type — Preventive Maintenance, Corrective, Installation, etc.

    • Customer, Project, Site — Optional defaults for repeat scenarios.

    • Status — Default status on job creation (e.g., Draft or Open).

    • Order Date — Can default to +1 day from creation.

    • Notes — Add checklist instructions or safety reminders.

    You can also link:

    • Task Templates — automatically added as tasks to the job.

    • Spare Parts — included at the job level; tracked separately from task‑level parts.

  3. Asset & Fault Details

    • System — e.g., Electrical, Hydraulic.

    • Fault — e.g., “Low Coolant”, “Oil Leak”.

    • Fault Details — short description to guide the technician.

  4. Resolution & Location Details

    • Resolution — e.g., “Top up coolant and pressure test”.

    • Resolution Comments — follow‑up reminders (e.g., “Verify seals after service”).

    • Service Zone — supports Smart Assignment to select the right technician.

  5. Additional & Financial Settings

    • Additional Comments — e.g., “Capture before/after images”.

    • Billable — toggle if the job should be invoiced.

    • Display Price — optionally show price to technician.

  6. Save the template to make it available for job creation and checklist linkage.

Best practice: Maintain specific templates by asset type or frequency, e.g. “Weekly Inspection – Tower Lights”, “Annual Maintenance – Diesel Generator”, “Repair – Hydraulic Hose Failure”.

Setting Up Task Templates


Path: Settings > Modules > Task Templates

  1. Create a Task Template
    Click New, provide a Template Name (e.g., “Battery Replacement Task”), set Status to Active.

  2. Configure Task Details

    • Name — label shown to the technician.

    • Prepend Job Order Name — optionally prefix the job name for clarity.

    • Status — default task status (e.g., Draft).

    • Priority — helps rank tasks in technician calendars.

  3. Set Scheduling Options

    • Start Time — e.g., 09:00 AM by default.

    • Duration — planned task length (e.g., 2 hours).

  4. Add Additional Information

    • Description — instructions or notes for the technician.

    • Spare Parts — parts required for this task; auto‑added when used.

  5. Save the task template for use in jobs and job templates.

Template chaining: Job Template → includes Task Templates → each Task Template includes Spare Parts. This yields fully‑loaded jobs with ready‑to‑go instructions and materials.

Linking Checklist Answers to Job Templates


Path: Settings > Workflow > Checklists > Open Checklist > Questions Tab

  1. Select the checklist and open the Questions tab.

  2. Edit a question that can lead to a failure or follow‑up (e.g., “Leak observed?”).

  3. Add or edit the answer options (e.g., “Major Issue – Needs Repair”).

  4. For the relevant answer, link a Job Order Template from the dropdown.

  5. Click Save to apply the automation logic.

Result: When a technician selects that answer in the field, FieldEx automatically creates a job order using the linked template. The new job inherits tasks and spare parts from the template and becomes immediately visible to planners and assigned teams.

Example: During an engine inspection, the technician selects “Major leak present”. The system generates “Diesel Engine Repair” from a predefined template—no planner action required.

Where to Review Triggered Follow‑Ups


Path: Checklist Module > Completed Checklist > Checklist Details Page

After submission, review all automation outcomes from the checklist details:

  • Job Order tab — lists job orders created by failed responses.

  • Tasks tab — displays any additional tasks triggered.

  • Spare Parts tab — shows requested parts linked to follow‑ups.

End‑to‑End Flow: From Inspection Failure to Corrective Job


  1. Planner prepares templates — Job templates linked to task templates and parts.

  2. Checklist linkage configured — Failure answers mapped to specific job templates.

  3. Technician completes inspection — Selects “failure” answer on a question.

  4. FieldEx auto‑creates job — New corrective job with tasks and parts is created immediately.

  5. Team reviews in Checklist Details — Verify job, tasks, and parts in the Completed Checklist view.

  6. Dispatch and execution — Assign and perform the corrective maintenance without delay.

Permissions note: Users must have the required permissions to create job orders and assign tasks. Review your User Groups and permissions if auto‑generation is restricted.

Best Practices


  • Only link templates to answer options that truly require corrective action.

  • Use naming conventions to match templates to inspection types (e.g., “Repair – HVAC Leak”).

  • Keep task templates concise with unambiguous steps and required parts.

  • Test in a staging environment to confirm triggers, job creation, and parts inclusion.

  • Review follow‑ups regularly to refine templates and reduce rework.

Key Field Summary


Area

Field

Description

Why it matters

Job Template

Type, Status, Notes

Default behaviour for the generated job

Ensures every corrective job is created consistently

Job Template

System, Fault, Fault Details

Pre‑classified fault context

Improves reporting and technician guidance

Job Template

Resolution, Resolution Comments

Prescribed corrective action

Standardises repair steps and quality

Job Template

Task Templates

Reusable tasks added to the job

Speeds planning; ensures checklists and tasks are complete

Task Template

Description, Priority, Duration

Task‑level guidance and scheduling

Aligns effort and expectations in the field

Task Template

Spare Parts

Parts required for the task

Ensures materials are requested with the job

Checklist Question

Answer → Linked Job Template

Maps failure answers to corrective templates

Drives automatic job creation on submission

Completed Checklist

Job Order / Tasks / Spare Parts Tabs

Review of triggered outcomes

Confirms automation worked as intended

Example Use Cases


  • HVAC Inspection: If “Refrigerant leak detected = Yes”, auto‑create “Repair – HVAC Leak” with diagnostic and pressure test tasks.

  • Generator Inspection: If “Oil pressure low = Critical”, auto‑create “Repair – Oil System” with hose replacement and seal verification tasks.

  • Lift Safety Check: If “Emergency stop not functioning”, auto‑create “Electrical Panel Repair” with isolation, component swap, and verification tests.

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