Maintenance Plans in FieldEx let you automate recurring work using structured schedules, predefined job templates, and optional recovery rules. A plan acts as the control layer for future job creation. Once jobs are generated, they become normal job orders and follow the standard job lifecycle (Scheduled, In Progress, Completed, etc.).
FieldEx supports four plan types, each designed for a different operational need. While they share the same scheduling engine, they differ in what the maintenance is anchored to and where history is tracked.
This article covers:
The shared maintenance plan creation flow (Duration, Schedule, Automation, Activation)
How Basic vs Advanced scheduling works
Fixed vs Floating scheduling and anchor date behaviour
Job creation lead time and self-healing (auto-reschedule)
How creation differs across Asset PM, Contract Maintenance, Site PM, and Recurring Jobs
The Shared Maintenance Plan Creation Flow
All maintenance plan types in FieldEx follow the same core structure. You define: (1) how long the plan runs, (2) how maintenance repeats, (3) when jobs should be created, and (4) how overdue work is handled.
Duration – sets the time window where jobs can be generated.
Schedule – defines frequency, templates, and how next dates are calculated.
Automation – defines job creation lead time and optional self-healing rules.
Activation – locks the configuration and begins job generation.
The sections below explain this shared flow in detail. After that, each plan type section explains only what is different for that specific plan.
Step 1 - Set the Plan Duration
The When to start the plan section defines how long the plan remains valid. Jobs are created only within the chosen date range.
Start date – the date from which job creation can begin. A start date is required to continue.
End date – choose a fixed end date or select Never ends to keep the plan running until it is cancelled.
Once duration is confirmed, the scheduling section becomes available.
Tip: Most teams leave the end date open and cancel the plan manually when maintenance is no longer required. |
Step 2 - Configure the Maintenance Schedule
Scheduling determines what is generated, how often it repeats, and how future due dates are calculated. FieldEx supports two schedule modes: Basic (one template repeating) and Advanced (multiple templates across a cycle).
2A - Basic scheduling (one template repeated)
Basic scheduling is used when the same maintenance routine repeats consistently over time.
1. Set the repeat interval
Choose how often maintenance repeats using preset intervals such as weekly, monthly, quarterly, or yearly.
2. Select the Job Order Template
Choose a Job Order Template that defines the tasks, checklist items, and workflow technicians follow.
(Optional) Use "Assign to" to pre-assign the generated job to a user, custodian, or group.
3. Choose how the next maintenance date is calculated
Fixed (Calendar-based) – future dates follow the calendar even if work is completed late.
Floating (Based on completion) – the next cycle begins only when the previous job is completed.
4. Define the starting point (anchor) for the first cycle
The anchor date determines how the very first job is calculated. All future dates repeat from this starting point, using the chosen interval and scheduling method.
The available anchor options depend on how the schedule is configured.
Calendar-based anchor options appear when Fixed scheduling is selected. These options align maintenance to specific calendar patterns rather than completion timing.
Weekly schedules (Every X weeks + Fixed) – Specific day of the week (jobs always scheduled on the selected weekday).
Monthly schedules (Every X months + Fixed) – Specific date of the month (jobs always scheduled on a fixed calendar date) or Specific day of the month (jobs follow a pattern such as the first Monday or last Friday).
Tip: Calendar-based anchor options only appear when Fixed scheduling is selected. Floating schedules always calculate the next maintenance based on job completion instead. |
2B - Advanced scheduling (multiple templates across a cycle)
Advanced scheduling is designed for teams that need different maintenance tasks at different points within a cycle. Instead of repeating one template, you assign multiple job templates across a sequence of weeks or months.
Advanced scheduling is ideal when you perform alternating routines, such as minor service every month and major service every 3 months.
1. Choose a cycle pattern
When switching to Advanced scheduling, predefined cycle patterns may be available, including:
Minor every 2 months, Major every 4 months
Minor every 2 months, Major every 6 months
Different task each quarter (repeats yearly)
Custom – define your own cycle length and template assignment.
2. Assign templates to each cycle slot
Each cycle position represents one scheduled occurrence. You select a job template for each slot, and once the final slot is reached, the cycle repeats from the beginning.
3. Assignment behaviour
Each job template may have its own assignment, or you may leave jobs unassigned at the plan level. Assignment follows the same behaviour as Basic mode.
4. Fixed vs Floating behaviour
Advanced scheduling supports both Fixed and Floating calculation methods. The chosen method applies to the entire cycle.
Tip: Use Advanced scheduling when you need alternating routines (for example, minor vs. major services) or when assets require different maintenance tasks at different points in a longer cycle. |
Step 3 - Automate Job Creation & Self-Healing
Automation controls when jobs are created and what happens if a job becomes overdue. These settings help planners reduce manual work and prevent missed cycles.
1. When should the job be created?
This controls how far in advance FieldEx generates a job order before the scheduled date. Creating jobs early gives technicians time to plan work, prepare tools, request spare parts, or coordinate site access.
The available lead-time options depend on how often the maintenance is repeated. FieldEx adjusts the options so they always make sense relative to the selected frequency.
Weekly schedules (Every 1 week) – options include 3 days or 7 days before the due date.
Bi-weekly schedules (Every 2 weeks) – options include 3 days, 7 days, or 2 weeks before the due date.
Monthly or longer schedules – options include 3 days, 7 days, 2 weeks, and 1 month before the due date.
Tip: Lead-time options are always limited to the selected maintenance frequency to prevent jobs from being created too late or too early in the cycle. |
2. Auto-reschedule missed maintenance (Optional)
If a job passes its planned date without being completed, FieldEx can automatically “self-heal” the plan by shifting the job to a new date. This prevents overdue maintenance from piling up and keeps the cycle aligned moving forward.
When auto-reschedule is enabled, you can configure:
How long the job can remain overdue before the system takes action.
How many days after that the job should be rescheduled.
Tip: Enable self-healing if you often have overdue maintenance. FieldEx automatically catches up on missed work without manual adjustment. |
Step 4 - Activate the Plan
Once configuration is complete, activate the plan to begin job generation. Plans move through statuses depending on type and timing.
Draft – fully editable.
Scheduled – waiting for the start date.
Active – jobs are being generated.
Cancelled – stops future job creation.
Expired – end date has passed (or contract has ended, for Contract Maintenance).
How Plan Creation Differs by Maintenance Type
The core creation flow above applies to all plan types. The differences below explain what changes based on where the plan is created, what is inherited, and what anchor options are available.
Asset Maintenance Plan differences
Path: Maintenance > Asset PM > + New
Start date rule: Start date must be tomorrow or later. Jobs cannot start in the past.
Anchor options (common): Acquisition date, Created date, Last maintenance date (default).
Advanced scheduling: includes predefined cycle patterns and Custom cycle configuration.
Contract Maintenance Plan differences
Path: Contracts > Select a Contract > Contract Maintenances > + New
Contract-controlled fields: Customer is inherited and cannot be changed. Start and end dates are governed by the contract period.
Asset coverage: Assets are inherited from the contract. You do not manually add assets inside the plan.
Self-healing safeguard: If two consecutive maintenance cycles are missed, the plan stops generating new jobs until it is reviewed.
Editing behaviour by status: Draft (all editable), Scheduled (editing returns plan to Draft), Active (changes apply only to future maintenance, contract-controlled dates may be read-only), Expired/Cancelled (editing locked).
Lifecycle note: If a contract expires, is terminated, or becomes inactive, the plan stops generating new jobs.
Site Maintenance Plan differences
Path: Maintenance > Site PM > + New Plan
Anchor options (standard): Last Site Visit (default), Created Date.
Fallback rule: If a site has no recorded site visit, FieldEx falls back to the plan start date.
Calendar anchor options: appear only when Fixed scheduling is selected (specific day of week, specific date of month, specific day of month).
Recurring Job Plan differences
Path: Maintenance > Recurring Jobs > + New Plan
Duration rule: Recurring Job Plans must have a minimum duration of one month.
UI structure: Recurring Jobs area includes a Recurring Job Plans tab and a Job Orders tab. Plans control creation while job orders reflect execution.
Save vs Activate language: Click Save to validate and create the plan, then activate the plan to begin job generation.
About Meter-Based and Hybrid Maintenance (Coming Soon)
Meter-based and hybrid maintenance types are planned for release in 2026. These will allow maintenance to trigger based on asset usage (for example, hours, cycles, distance) or a combination of usage and time.