Glossary
What is a Maintenance Log?
A maintenance log is a chronological record of maintenance work performed on an asset (or location). It typically includes date, type of work, description, parts used, labour and outcome. Logs support troubleshooting, warranty claims and compliance.
What it means
A log can be a spreadsheet, paper form or the history view in a CMMS. The important part is a consistent record per asset over time.
Why it matters
- Logs record what was done, when and by whom for each asset.
- They support root-cause analysis and trend analysis.
- Compliance and audits often require documented maintenance history.
- CMMS builds a log automatically from work orders linked to assets.
Example in maintenance operations
A pump log: 12 Jan – monthly PM, oil change; 3 Feb – bearing replaced (corrective); 15 Mar – monthly PM. An equipment maintenance log template might have columns for date, type, description, parts, technician.
Related concepts
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a maintenance log and a work order?
A work order is the instruction to do a single job; it is created, assigned and closed. A maintenance log is the accumulated history of work on an asset—often built from many work orders over time.
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