SHOP OPERATIONS
24 Fleet Maintenance | AUGUST 2017
Got Enough
Technicians?
SHOP MANAGEMENT
ow do you assess your technician staffi ng requirements? Do
you rely on a gut feeling? Do you “just know” that current
staffi ng levels are fi ne?
A more precise way to determine the appropriate staffi ng
level for a fl eet maintenance facility is to employ a methodology
– and there are a number of these, as this eliminates
any subjectivity.
Before utilizing a particular method, it is advisable to evaluate
technicians to ascertain if they are performing at peak
effi ciency, given their experience level when compared to
peers and industry benchmarking measures. At the same
time, check to see that the technicians have the proper and
suffi cient number of tools, shop equipment and work space
needed to work most effi ciently.
Th e most productive vehicle maintenance organizations
do this periodically.
A Best Practice
Th e Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC) has created
a method for calculating maintenance staffi ng levels.
It is Recommended Practice 512A, Technician Staffi ng
Determination.
TMC (www.trucking.org/Technology_Council.aspx) is
an industry association focused on improving transport
equipment, its maintenance and m aintenance management.
RP 512A provides a basic formula to calculate the number
of technicians required to adequately staff a vehicle maintenance
shop. Th ere is also a worksheet to help work through
the process.
H
By David A. Kolman, Editor
How to determine
adequate
staffi ng levels
» It is a challenge to ensure an adequate and appropriate
distribution of technicians per shift. A best practice
to accomplish this is to employ a methodical process
in order to avoid guesswork and subjectivity.
Photo courtesy of Rush Truck Centers