Using Work Time Estimation Methods to Predict Preventive Maintenance Task Completion Times

Abstract

Work time estimation techniques, as an alternative to direct work time measurement methods, were replicated using preventive maintenance personnel as expert estimators. Two groups of maintainers, those familiar with maintenance activities on specific equipments included in the study, and those with generic preventive maintenance experience, estimated subtask completion times on electronic equipment. Both groups' task completion time estimates correlated very highly with observed task completion times, indicating that general knowledge of maintenance is sufficient to produce strong prediction models. The relationship between generic experts' estimates and observed task completion times was further strengthened by providing more detailed subtask descriptions during the estimation process.