How to use Dynamic Job Plans in Maximo

In Maximo 7.6.1.1 IBM introduced Dynamic Job Plans. In this article, we will discuss what dynamic job plans are and their advantages compared to traditional job plans. We will explain the different calculation types that can be used; static, proportional, level or based on an attribute.

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IBM introduced Dynamic Job Plans in Maximo 7.6.1.1. In this article, we will discuss what dynamic job plans are and their advantages compared to traditional job plans. We will explain the different calculation types that can be used; static, proportional, level or based on an attribute.

For more details on the configuration of Dynamic Job Plans, check out our next blog.

 

Dynamic Job Plans in the Job Plan application

When Dynamic Job plans have been configured, the ‘Is dynamic?’ checkbox will be visible in the Job Plan application. If you do not see the ‘Is dynamic checkbox’, contact your system administrator.

Dynamic Job Plan – Is Dynamic checkbox and additional fields

 

Traditional vs. Dynamic Job Plans

The main difference between traditional and dynamic job plans is how the labor and materials for a job plan are calculated. Maximo distinguishes four different calculation types:

  • Static
  • Proportional
  • Level-based
  • Attribute-based

One job plan can make use of different calculation types, so it is possible to combine proportional and level based calculations in one job plan.

Static Job Plans

Traditional job plans can be considered static job plans; the labor and materials required for a job plan are always the same. A good example of a traditional job plan is an oil change of a truck: the same type of truck will require the same amount of oil and will require the same amount of work effort every time.

Proportional Job Plans

There are scenarios, however, where a static job plan does not fulfill the requirements of a job. For example, when replacing a railroad track, various materials and labor are required to replace one meter of railroad track. When replacing 100 meters of track the required materials and labor increase proportionally. A dynamic job plan allows for the work to be set up based on units of work.

In this example, the unit of work can be defined as one meter of railroad track. The amount of labor and material is then proportionally dependent on the unit of work: meters of track.

Screenshot of the dynamic job plan fields for labor in Maximo
Dynamic Job Plan – Dynamic info on Labor

In a traditional job plan, one would either create different job plans for different track-sizes or use the same job plan several times. Neither would be a good and manageable approach to deal with work that should be scaled proportionally.

Screenshot of the dynamic job plan fields for materials in Maximo
Dynamic Job Plan – Dynamic Info on Materials

Level-based Job Plans

The labor and materials required for a job plan are not always proportional to a unit of work. They can also be level based. For instance, in the example of the railroad track, preparing and planning the work for replacing one meter or ten meters will take approximately the same amount of planning work. However, when planning 100 meters or even one kilometer of track to be replaced, the planning work may also increase significantly.

In this case, a level-based job plan can be used. Several levels can be defined, for example, up to one hundred meters of track, planning will take one hour of labor, but larger tracks will require two hours. When replacing more than one kilometer of railroad track, three hours of planning labor may be required.

In this case, the calculation type in Maximo is ‘Level’. An additional field occurs, where the levels can be defined in the Resource Levels Management screen.

Screenshot of a level-based job plan in Maximo
Maximo – Dynamic Job Plan – Level-based job plan
Screenshot of how to manage resource levels in Maximo
Dynamic Job Plan – Resource Levels Management

 

Attribute-based Job Plans

Finally, a job plan can be based on an attribute of an asset. This method can be used when the requirements are based on the type of asset. The calculation is then based on, for example, the height of the asset. The calculations can again be set as proportional or level.

A new field ‘Expression’ appears when an attribute calculation type is chosen. In this field, an expression can be entered to indicate how the resources (level or proportional) should be calculated based on the asset attribute.

 

Simulating the Dynamic Job Plan

Once a Dynamic Job Plan has been created, the working of the job plan can be simulated using the action ‘Simulate Dynamic Job Plan’ from ‘More Actions’ in the menu bar.

In this example, we will use both the proportional example (MECH) and the level based calculation type (PLANNER) we described above, in one job plan.

In the simulation, we can change the total work units and click on the simulate button, to see how the planned labors vary accordingly. As we change the total work units, the planned MECH labor increases proportionally. The PLANNER labor initially stays the same. Once we have crossed the threshold of 100 work units, the planned labor for PLANNER also increases.

 

Screenshot of how to simulate a dynamic job plan in Maximo
Dynamic Job Plan – Simulate Dynamic Job Plan

Once the simulation works as desired, you can activate the Job Plan as you normally would. Using the simulation option will help you to avoid unnecessary revisions of the job plan.