5 challenges facing the field service manager

5 challenges facing the field service manager

As a field service manager, looking after a large mobile workforce can be a daunting task. The key to success is identifying the greatest obstacles and finding workable solutions.

Challenge #1 – coordination

There will be days when it feels like the whole world is against the field service manager. Workers will call in sick, appointments will be cancelled without notice and roads will be jam-packed with traffic. Disruptions like this to the everyday schedule can be a logistical nightmare to resolve. That is, if you don’t have the systems in place to shift resources in real-time.

Challenge #2 – productivity

Poor productivity from workers in the field can be difficult to identify. Particularly if timesheets are only submitted at the end of the working day. Or in the worst cases, the end of the week. It’s important for the field service manager to always know exactly how long workers are spending on a job. In this way, productivity can be constantly reviewed and optimised.

Challenge #3 – lunch time

How can a field worker possibly know what time they’ll take breaks on any given day? Every job is different and unexpected issues are certain to arise. But the combination of extended time spent on job sites and unscheduled breaks can cause delays and customer complaints. Management must have the ability to respond and reassign jobs accordingly.

Challenge #4 – paperwork

If there’s one thing the field worker hates, it’s paperwork. Customer information, job descriptions, contracts and signatures, it makes life harder than it needs to be. It can also often result in errors and poorly documented jobs. Fortunately, the evolution of smartphones and tablet computers means it’s possible to minmise paperwork for workers with the right software solution.

Challenge #5 – scheduling

Whether field operatives have set hours or work in shift patterns, it can be a constant source of discomfort to allocate jobs and manage their schedules. Again, this problem can be easily resolved with the right management software, which can handle the job for you with the click of a button.


5 challenges facing the field service manager Workever

About Workever

Workever is a real-time management solution for Field Service & Service Management businesses. Whether you have a small mobile team of five field workers or a large enterprise with hundreds of field staff, Workever field service management software makes your job simple.

Increase productivity, reduce paperwork and save admin time with our easy to use field service software for both the office and your fieldworkers. Why not request a free trial today?

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