Research Findings to Aid Supervisors and Trainers in Improving Maintenance Performance
Abstract
Observational data on the performance of Army organizational level vehicle mechanics were analyzed to determine patterns of performance errors. It was found that the majority of substandard performances and failures to perform critical actions occur primarily in two types of task activities: activities requiring use of special tools and/or technical specifications, and final operational checkouts to verify the success of maintenance actions. The group of activities requiring use of special tools or technical specifications is comprised predominantly of adjust activities, but also contains some remove, install/replace, and service activities. The performance of 71% of the mechanics in these activities resulted in one or more serious uncorrected errors remaining in the equipment upon completion of the maintenance task. The majority of these errors reflected either a failure to use specifications or failure to use them correctly. By contrast, only 22% of the mechanics performing activities not requiring special tools or specifications left serious uncorrected errors in their work. For tasks allowing final checkout to verify successful completion of the maintenance task, 66% of the mechanics either failed to perform the checkout or did so incorrectly. Maintenance activities exhibiting a high probability of mechanic errors are identified for unit supervisor and trainer use in setting priorities for work assignments requiring closer supervision and checking. On- the-spot correction provide the feedback necessary to develop maintenance proficiency through job experience.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1983
- Accession Number
- ADA144655
Entities
People
- John F. Hayes
- Richard P. Kern
Organizations
- U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences