Work Order Workflow
Work orders help your team track maintenance from start to finish. This article walks through how a work order moves through CLUE and what you can update along the way.
Overview
The work order workflow helps your team follow a repair or service job from the time it is created until the work is done. It gives you one record for the asset, the status, the labor, the parts, and the updates tied to that job.
This is especially useful if your team already uses Creating and Managing Work Orders, Updating a Work Order, or Viewing Asset Work History to manage maintenance.
Work Order Detail View
The detail panel is where most of the work order activity happens. Once you open a work order, you can review the job, check asset information, and update the record as work moves forward.
Click any work order row to open the detail panel on the right side.
Detail Panel Sections
The detail panel is split into sections so your team can review job details without leaving the work order. These sections help connect the repair to the asset, the labor, and the cost.
Common sections include:
- Header - asset identifier and status badge
- Performance - asset performance details, such as operating hours, idle rate, or fuel use
- Asset Details - engine hours, odometer, and other asset readings
- Work Orders - other work orders linked to the same asset for quick access
This view works well alongside Viewing Asset Work History when you need more context on past repairs.
Work Order Statuses
Each work order moves through a status as the job progresses. These statuses help the team know what has started, what is paused, and what is finished.
The main statuses are:
- To Do - work order created and waiting to start
- In Progress - repair work is actively being done
- On Hold - work is paused while waiting on parts, approval, or more information
- Completed - work is finished and verified
This is a natural place to link to Understanding Work Order Status for more detail.
Updating Status
Status updates help keep the work order current as the job moves forward. The more accurate the status is, the easier it is for foremen and mechanics to see what still needs attention.
Use the status dropdown at the top of the detail panel to update the work order. When possible, add a short comment so the next person reviewing the job understands what changed.
Adding Notes and Updates
A work order is more useful when the team keeps it updated as work happens. Notes, labor, photos, and parts all help build a clear record of the repair.
You can update a work order by:
- adding comments to show progress or explain changes
- logging repair time in the Timecards or labor section
- attaching photos of the work
- tracking parts used in the Parts tab
These are good internal link opportunities for Logging Labor and Time Entry on Work Orders and Adding Parts to Work Orders.
Tips
A few simple habits can make work orders easier to manage and easier to review later. Keeping the record updated while work is happening usually gives better cost and repair history than trying to fill it in afterward.
- Add a comment when changing status
- Log time as the work happens
- Use On Hold when waiting for parts or more information
- Record parts used so work order cost stays accurate
- Review the full work order before marking it complete
