february2021 - 34

MANAGEMENT
»Every task on an inspection checklist
should have an explicit action and goal
associated with it to ensure efficiency.
191885619 | Siwakorn Klomwinyarn | Dreamstime.com

" PM checklists
create a standard
method of
performing tasks,
which leads to
reliable outcomes. "
Fiix, a Rockwell Automation Company

Explicit and implicit
inspection
Depending on whether the inspection needs
to be brief or in-depth, different types of
instruction may be appropriate.
There are two ways to specify an inspection:
implicitly and explicitly. Both are used in
preventive maintenance (PM), and both are
appropriate at different times. To start, let's
review the definitions.
Explicit: In a clear and detailed manner, leaving no room for confusion or doubt. The explicit
inspection description will have detailed items
to look for, have standards or ranges (such as
running amps under load: 50-70), and may
include photographs and drawings.
Implicit: Implied though not plainly
expressed. The implicit inspection description

By Joel Levitt

PRESIDENT OF SPRINGFIELD RESOURCES
Joel Levitt is the president of Springfield Resources, a
management consulting firm that services a variety of
clients on a wide range of maintenance issues. Levitt
has trained more than 17,000 maintenance leaders from
more than 3,000 organizations in 38 countries. He is also
the creator of Laser-Focused Training, a flexible training
program that provides specific, targeted training on your
schedule, online to one to 250 people in maintenance
management, asset management, and reliability.

34 Fleet Maintenance | February 2021

has few words and, if any, drawings will be
very general.
An implicit list either requires a technician
to have significant experience with the specific equipment or has only superficial requirements. The implicit list is a general reminder.
Technicians working on construction equipment may use basic checklists that include items
such as " lights, " " steps, hand rails, and grab
irons, " and " undercarriage. " Technicians using
this implicit type of list typically follow a protocol they were taught or personally developed
through years of experience. The issue with
this type of list is that each person using it may
perform checks differently.
This is okay when the intent is to sweep
through an area to look for obvious faults. In
an example of this usage, a building tenant
might be required to perform a monthly
inspection of their building's basement for
water, visual mold, and natural gas or sewer
smells. In that type of task, the implicit list is
fine. The intent was to get someone to enter
an area and observce with their eyes, ears,
and nose. This type of inspection is more

of a security sweep through an area than a
detailed look.
Explicit tasks, on the other hand, require
necessary detail. PM checklists should provide
enough detail that new technicians can realistically complete the task by following the list.
Provide them with photos or diagrams; inspection checklists should include visual representations of the instructions to make the job easier
and clarify any ambiguity. While details are
important, explicit task lists should also be as
concise as possible. Every task on an inspection
checklist should have an explicit action and goal
associated with it to ensure maximum efficiency.
According to Fiix (a Rockwell Automation
Company), PM checklists create a standard
method of performing tasks, which leads to
reliable outcomes. There is no guesswork or
miscommunication, reducing the chances for
an error.
A senior technician might be annoyed by a
detailed and explicit list because it seems to
discount their expertise; it might seem petty to
them. But, if followed, the list ensures that everyone performs every task the same each time.
Without explicit tasks, changes such as PM
optimization are very difficult to implement
because each technician may be doing things
their own way.
When designing inspection, tasks keep the
goal in mind. If you expect to pick up specific
failure modes, you will have to look for them.
If you want to avoid gross failures, developing
an implicit list will be fine.
An example of an implicit task would be:
" Check tires. " Most technicians will know to
look for apparent defects or deterioration like
baldness or sidewall damage. Here we are
making immediate safety checks.
An example of an explicit task would be:
" Measure tread depth and individual tire
pressure and records. Look for uneven wear
patterns. " Here we are trying to improve tire
life and fuel efficiency and do a safety check.
Whether it is appropriate to use explicit or
implicit tasks depends on the ultimate goal.

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february2021

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