Sign in to view more content

Create your free account or sign in to continue your search

Welcome back

By clicking Continue to join or sign in, you agree to LinkedIn’s User Agreement, Privacy Policy, and Cookie Policy.

New to LinkedIn? Join now

or

By clicking Continue to join or sign in, you agree to LinkedIn’s User Agreement, Privacy Policy, and Cookie Policy.

New to LinkedIn? Join now

Skip to main content
LinkedIn
  • Top Content
  • People
  • Learning
  • Jobs
  • Games
Join now Sign in
  1. All
  2. Engineering
  3. Mechanics

Your machinery just broke down in the middle of a project. How do you prioritize tasks with your team?

When your machinery breaks down mid-project, it's crucial to quickly assess and reorganize tasks to maintain workflow. Here’s how to prioritize effectively:

  • Assess the situation: Identify the most critical tasks that need immediate attention and those that can be delayed.

  • Communicate clearly: Inform your team about the breakdown and reassign tasks based on current priorities and available resources.

  • Seek quick fixes: Contact maintenance or technical support to expedite repairs, and consider temporary alternatives to keep the project on track.

How do you handle unexpected machinery breakdowns? Share your strategies.

Mechanics Mechanics

Mechanics

+ Follow
  1. All
  2. Engineering
  3. Mechanics

Your machinery just broke down in the middle of a project. How do you prioritize tasks with your team?

When your machinery breaks down mid-project, it's crucial to quickly assess and reorganize tasks to maintain workflow. Here’s how to prioritize effectively:

  • Assess the situation: Identify the most critical tasks that need immediate attention and those that can be delayed.

  • Communicate clearly: Inform your team about the breakdown and reassign tasks based on current priorities and available resources.

  • Seek quick fixes: Contact maintenance or technical support to expedite repairs, and consider temporary alternatives to keep the project on track.

How do you handle unexpected machinery breakdowns? Share your strategies.

Add your perspective
Help others by sharing more (125 characters min.)
45 answers
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Christopher Losee

    Making robots build the future

    • Report contribution

    I work in automation and controls in a maintenance department, I am one of the first that gets called when things break. In a manufacturing environment it is important wherever reasonable to have redundancy. This allows necessary time to assess the situation and fix it with minimal impacts on production. When it comes to the fix I strongly advocate for the correct fix, don't hastily throw something together that might work in the moment and inevitably cause bigger issues in the future. A moto I try to remember is, if you don't have time to do it right the first time, you won't have time to fix it later.

    Like
    9
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Todd Miller

    Field Engineer 2 | Mechanical Engineering Degree

    • Report contribution

    An example I thought of was our concrete truck broke down when we were working on the highway. We have to open up to traffic in 3 hours with a 4 lane closure and it takes about 45 min - 1h to pick up the entire closure. It was stressful but this is what I did: - Stop and assess the situation. Panicking as a leader for your crew will get you no where. - Come up with a few solutions not just one. Think about all the outcomes and run them by your crew for feed back but be prepared for questions. - Go with a plan and stick through it in a time crunch. We ended up using cold mix since it was small repairs and had tear it out the next day but we didn’t get fined for having the closure up past our designated time.

    Like
    7
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Thiago Silva Barbosa

    Técnico de Manutenção 1 CFT ATIVO

    • Report contribution

    Naturalmente.Realizando uma analise aprofundada da principal falha significativa do equipamento,porque a manutenção corretiva não planejada implica altos custos , pois a quebra inesperada do equipamento causa perdas na produção,na qualidade do produto e gera custos indiretos de manutenção.

    Translated
    Like
    3
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Promise Okoi

    B.Eng (Mechanical Engineering) | Energy & Power | The Global Learning Expedition | Volunteer

    • Report contribution

    The importance of preventive maintenance. Regardless, machines do breakdown unexpectedly. In a situation like that, to ensure continuation of work, I'd recommend the following: 1. See how quick you can get a replacement or an alternative. 2. Review your targets, and check if the affected task is a prerequisite for continuation or other jobs can take priority pending replacement/repairs. 3. Communicate with your superiors, clients, and colleagues to ensure the best course of action is taken. In all, as an Engineer, a solid action plan should have been in place before the commencement of a job. I'd advise you avoid such cases when you can

    Like
    3
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Fuat Kabaca

    Betriebsleiter, Bachelor Professional in Metal Production and Management EA IHK-Prüfer in verschiedenen, Spezialist für Ausbildungsentwicklung

    • Report contribution

    Wenn Maschinen während eines Projekts ausfallen, ist schnelles und strukturiertes Handeln entscheidend. Zuerst analysieren wir gemeinsam den Schaden und klären, ob eine kurzfristige Reparatur möglich ist. Parallel dazu prüfen wir, welche Aufgaben ohne die betroffene Maschine weiterlaufen können, um keine unnötige Zeit zu verlieren. Danach priorisieren wir: Welche Schritte sind für den Projektabschluss am kritischsten? Eventuell ziehen wir Ersatzgeräte oder externe Unterstützung hinzu. Wichtig ist, dass das Team informiert bleibt und flexibel agiert. Klare Kommunikation und eine pragmatische Vorgehensweise helfen, den Ausfall effektiv zu managen und den Projektfortschritt zu sichern.

    Translated
    Like
    3
View more answers
Mechanics Mechanics

Mechanics

+ Follow

Rate this article

We created this article with the help of AI. What do you think of it?
It’s great It’s not so great

Thanks for your feedback

Your feedback is private. Like or react to bring the conversation to your network.

Tell us more

Report this article

More articles on Mechanics

No more previous content
  • High-demand periods are taking a toll on aviation mechanics. How can you prevent burnout effectively?

  • You're juggling tight deadlines and quality standards in your work. How do you effectively prioritize tasks?

  • Your client refuses crucial car maintenance. How do you convince them to prioritize it?

  • You're facing unexpected delays in your project timeline. How do you communicate this effectively?

No more next content
See all

More relevant reading

  • Mechanics
    You're faced with multiple machinery malfunctions. How can you efficiently troubleshoot to save time?
  • Aviation
    How can you improve hydraulic system reliability and efficiency?
  • Mechanics
    How can you manage hydraulic fluid contamination and degradation?
  • Aviation
    How can you ensure hydraulic systems function in low-visibility conditions?

Explore Other Skills

  • Programming
  • Web Development
  • Agile Methodologies
  • Machine Learning
  • Software Development
  • Data Engineering
  • Data Analytics
  • Data Science
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  • Cloud Computing

Are you sure you want to delete your contribution?

Are you sure you want to delete your reply?

  • LinkedIn © 2025
  • About
  • Accessibility
  • User Agreement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your California Privacy Choices
  • Cookie Policy
  • Copyright Policy
  • Brand Policy
  • Guest Controls
  • Community Guidelines
Like
18
45 Contributions