AAOM Handbook

WA.02 Is the Work Urgent? Context

The people working within a business area generally know what is required to have that area functioning sustainably (i.e. dealing responsibly with safety, the environment, employees, communities, governments and asset life), effectively and efficiently, and can recognise when work is required to rectify something that will affect the achievement of these objectives. In order to make the fullest use of all of the potential information that our people can gather, we encourage and require that all personnel initiate a Work Request whenever they identify the need for work. Most Work Requests can be made with sufficient lead time that they do not require an urgent response, and hence should be approved, schedule, planned and executed for optimum results. The OPERATING MODEL Scheduling, Planning, Resourcing and Execution business processes define how non urgent work is processed. When work must be completed urgently it usually results in either:  increased exposure to hazards,  higher usage of labour and materials,  excessive materials stocks,  increased costs,  compromised work outcomes,  adverse impacts on other work, or  all of the above. Consequently, we should not complete work urgently unless it is necessary. Urgent work can and will occur at any time of any day, and the situation requiring urgent work may be recognised by anyone within a business area. Making an appropriate response to urgent work requires that a decision be made promptly to initiate that response and hence, the decision whether work is urgent may be made by a diverse group of people. Clear and objective criteria to guide the consistent determination of urgent work are needed. Purpose To determine whether a Work Request is urgent. Quantity  One decision whether the work is urgent or not. Quality The decision whether work is urgent or not is based on the Required Date and Impact determined for the work.

© McAlear Management Consultants 2004

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