Glossary
What is a Maintenance Work Order?
A maintenance work order is a work order specifically for maintenance work—preventive, corrective or other. It is the same concept as a work order but in a maintenance context: the task to be performed, linked to an asset, with assignment, status and completion details.
What it means
In CMMS, most work orders are maintenance work orders. The term is used to distinguish from other types (e.g. project or project work) in some organisations.
Why it matters
- Maintenance work orders are the primary unit of work in a CMMS.
- They can be created from PM schedules, requests or inspections.
- They link to assets and record labour, parts and outcome.
- See work order for full definition.
Example in maintenance operations
A maintenance work order is created for 'Replace filter – Chiller A' with asset Chiller A, assigned to Tech 1, due Friday.
Related concepts
Run maintenance with VectraManage — work orders, PM and reporting in one platform
See pricing Start free