Maintenance, Repair & Operations

Meeting High Standards of Workmanship

April 6, 2021

A top-down approach isn’t the correct one to take.

Maintenance studies and forensic examinations have long identified poor workmanship in maintenance as a significant cause of downtime. Many maintenance veterans will agree that even average workmanship is problematic.

How can you not only establish high standards of workmanship, but also ensure they are consistently met? A top-down policy is one approach, and it is almost certain to fail. However, if the attitude of “we do excellent work” is part of your culture, you will have success.

It’s been said that how you do one thing is how you do all things. Based on this idea, someone who puts their tools away dirty or leaves a greasy shop rag next to a motor after a belt change also does shoddy work. Have you ever wondered why in military boot camp so much emphasis is placed on shining your shoes, folding your underwear a specific way, and making your bed perfectly?

Find little ways in which people can and must express excellence, and you will find the big ways take care of themselves.

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.