General Improvement in Procedures
A process of continuous improvement began in 2000 at the City of Emeryville when LA Consulting was engaged to assist in evaluating its maintenance operations and implement a new maintenance management system. This system was not just software but a comprehensive approach towards planning, scheduling, and controlling maintenance work. Prior to using the MMS, the Public Works Department did not have an effective way to track how much it was spending to complete maintenance tasks. Also, department managers had few resources for discussing levels of service and manpower distribution with city officials. “There has been a dramatic change in city council and citizen reactions to public works maintenance,” says Public Works Director Hank Van Dyke. “There are no longer complaints at the city council meetings.”