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Maintenance, Repair & Operations

Questions to Ask About Repairs

July 2, 2019

Things to ask before, during, and after you perform a repair

Mark Lamendola

Asking some important questions before, during, and after a repair can lead to superior results.

Before starting a repair, ask:

Would a replacement make more sense than a repair operationally or in terms of total cost of ownership?
What concerns does the operator have? Would those fall under the scope of this repair, and if so how do I accommodate?
Am I solving the underlying problem that made the repair necessary?
What other repair methods may apply to this situation? How do I pick the right one?
Is this repair method cost-effective? How permanent is it?
Will I need to perform a full PM, baseline testing, or other corollary work?
How much time will this repair realistically take, and am I allowing for that?
Do I have all the necessary parts, materials, tools, and instructions?
What safety procedures must I implement?

During the repair, ask:

Am I safe while performing this repair?
What else do I see that needs addressing, and can I address it now?
Is further work indicated at a future date?
Am I performing this with good craftsmanship?

After finishing the repair, ask:

What unplanned issues arose during the repair?
How can I measure the success of this repair, and when should I do that?
Is the operator satisfied?

About the Author

Mark Lamendola

Mark is an expert in maintenance management, having racked up an impressive track record during his time working in the field. He also has extensive knowledge of, and practical expertise with, the National Electrical Code (NEC). Through his consulting business, he provides articles and training materials on electrical topics, specializing in making difficult subjects easy to understand and focusing on the practical aspects of electrical work.

Prior to starting his own business, Mark served as the Technical Editor on EC&M for six years, worked three years in nuclear maintenance, six years as a contract project engineer/project manager, three years as a systems engineer, and three years in plant maintenance management.

Mark earned an AAS degree from Rock Valley College, a BSEET from Columbia Pacific University, and an MBA from Lake Erie College. He’s also completed several related certifications over the years and even was formerly licensed as a Master Electrician. He is a Senior Member of the IEEE and past Chairman of the Kansas City Chapters of both the IEEE and the IEEE Computer Society. Mark also served as the program director for, a board member of, and webmaster of, the Midwest Chapter of the 7x24 Exchange. He has also held memberships with the following organizations: NETA, NFPA, International Association of Webmasters, and Institute of Certified Professional Managers.