Work Order

A Work Order is a directive order that authorizes and assigns specified work to a named performer.

• Context:
  • It can (typically) be issued after a work request has been reviewed and approved.
  • It can also be created internally, without a prior request, such as for scheduled maintenance.
  • It can (typically) be approved by a manager or planner who has authority over the work.
  • It can be scheduled and assigned to a particular person or team.
  • ...
• Example(s):
  • A maintenance work order that a maintenance planner issues after approving a work request.
  • A preventive-maintenance work order created on a schedule, without a prior request.
  • ...
• Counter-Example(s):
  • A Work Request, which asks for work to be done and is a proposal rather than an authorization.
  • A prohibitory judicial order, such as an injunction, a sibling directive order that forbids an action rather than assigning work.
  • ...
• See: Work Request, Directive Order, Task.

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References

2025

• UpKeep. (2025). What's the difference between a maintenance work request and a work order?. Last updated 2025-12-22; retrieved 2026-10-15; archived snapshot of 2026-01-14. Supports the definition and its source in approved requests: a work order is "an authorization from your maintenance planner to perform maintenance tasks"; "When work requests are submitted and approved, work orders are created."

2023

• Joško Ivankov. (2023). Work Order vs Work Request – Everything You Need To Know. WorkTrek blog, 2023-08-27. Retrieved 2026-10-15; archived snapshot of 2026-06-07. Supports the approvers: work orders "are approved by the maintenance manager or maintenance planner"; a work order is "an authorization assigned to planned maintenance work to be completed".

Undated

• Wikipedia. Work order. Retrieved 2026-10-15; archived snapshot of 2026-09-01. Supports scheduling, assignment and internal origin: "A work order is usually a task or a job for a customer, that can be scheduled or assigned to someone."; "Such an order may be from a customer request or created internally within the organization."