Information ergonomics improvement for preventive maintenance: wedge as a maintenance tool.

Abstract

Objective of this study was to improve information ergonomics of preventive maintenance by using Wedge software. The plan was to make simple as possible platform inside Wedge to give maintenance supervisors a maintenance related platform regarding process pump data. Pump process data collected to platform was pumps electrical current and pumped material flow. The platform was made and introduced to maintenance partner’s supervisors. Maintenance supervisors started to use this platform on daily basis for 2 week trial period. During that trial period 3 surveys were sent for them to get answers to research questions. First survey was to get the basic level of present system (DNA process operating system) information ergonomics. Second survey was to get information ergonomics improvement from the usage of Wedge. Final survey was to get answers to Wedge’s total usability and information ergonomics improvement for preventive maintenance. Total potential of Wedge was then evaluated.

Results from surveys were hard to interpret as only 7 out of 10 participant answered. Wedge brought slightly positive change to information ergonomics in general, but more negative regarding to preventive maintenance. Usability was seen mostly as neutral all answers considered. As conclusion Wedge was hard to use for beginner user. A longer introduction would have been needed to ensure better learnability. For future research different process devices could be included to the platform. Even simpler platforms should be made for maintenance.