--- title: How to Update Work Order Priority Settings description: Set work order priorities to manage expectations about when a maintenance request needs to be completed --- [Skip to content](https://help.fmiworks.com/knowledge/how-to-update-work-order-priority-settings#main-content) English Show submenu for translations [Log a Ticket](https://help.fmiworks.com/knowledge/kb-tickets/new?hsLang=en) [Go to Customer Portal](https://help.fmiworks.com/support?hsLang=en) [![Logo.svg\]](https://help.fmiworks.com/hubfs/Logo.svg)](https://www.fmiworks.com/) Open main navigation Close main navigation - English Show submenu for translations - [Log a Ticket](https://help.fmiworks.com/knowledge/kb-tickets/new) - [Go to Customer Portal](https://help.fmiworks.com/support) Get expert help, any time you need it - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Help Centre](https://help.fmiworks.com/knowledge?hsLang=en) 2. [Resources](https://help.fmiworks.com/knowledge/resources?hsLang=en) 3. [Set Up](https://help.fmiworks.com/knowledge/resources?hsLang=en#set-up) # How to Update Work Order Priority Settings ## Set work order priorities to manage expectations about when a maintenance request needs to be completed This article is for FMI Works users who have been given the permission of Reference Administrator ### Introduction In FMI Works, each work order is given a priority. Priorities convey the urgency of the work and set expectations about when the work needs to be started and completed. In this article we explain how to update the default priority settings. ### How the priority works The default priority on the work order is derived from the [Standard Request](https://help.fmiworks.com/knowledge/how-to-set-up-standard-requests?hsLang=en) settings. The default priority can be changed on the work order by the triage team if required. The priority drives the *Scheduled Start* and *Expected Completion* date. This is visible to tradespeople and other parties that have access to the work order information. If a work order exceeds the expected completion date, it will be automatically flagged as 'Overdue' and appear on the [Services dashboard](https://help.fmiworks.com/knowledge/using-the-services-dashboard?hsLang=en) and in the [overdue reports](https://help.fmiworks.com/knowledge/reports-for-managing-work-orders?hsLang=en). ![](https://help.fmiworks.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Dec-14-2023-12-15-52-5685-AM.png?width=688&height=552&name=image-png-Dec-14-2023-12-15-52-5685-AM.png) ### Where to start Go to the *Administrator* module and select *References* \> *General Data.* Select the *System* tab and the *Priority* tab. ![](https://help.fmiworks.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Dec-14-2023-12-15-35-6713-AM.png?width=688&height=552&name=image-png-Dec-14-2023-12-15-35-6713-AM.png) To edit an existing priority, select the *Edit* pencil icon. To add a new priority, select *Add New*. ![](https://help.fmiworks.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Dec-14-2023-12-26-52-4997-AM.png?width=688&height=552&name=image-png-Dec-14-2023-12-26-52-4997-AM.png) Note: Priorities cannot be deleted therefore they will need to be set to 'Inactive'. ### Making a priority inactive Over time, new KPIs may be set by your organisation and those past priorities may no longer be applicable. These priorities can be set to 'Inactive' however the history of inactive priorities is retained for historical KPI reporting. To make a priority 'Inactive': - Select *Edit.* - Uncheck the *Active* box. - Select *Save.* A priority can be set back to active at any time by checking the *Active* box. ![](https://help.fmiworks.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Dec-14-2023-12-32-19-1045-AM.png?width=688&height=552&name=image-png-Dec-14-2023-12-32-19-1045-AM.png) ### Adding or editing an existing priority Before editing an existing priority, consider how this will impact historical KPI reporting. In some cases, it may be better to make a priority inactive and add a new priority. #### Priority This is the description that will be displayed for users to select from. Tip: Include the number of hours in the title. For example, P1 – Urgent (3 hours) so that all parties are clear on what the priority means. #### No (Number) of Hours Enter the number of hours you wish this job to be completed in. For example, if you want it in five hours, enter 5. If the request is not urgent and you would like the timeframe to be a week, enter the number of hours (this dependent on what you have set as work hours), and convey this in the priority title. This field drives the *Expected Completion* date for a work order. #### Response Hours Enter the number of hours work must begin within. This field drives the *Scheduled Start* date for a work order. For example, if the *Response Hours* is 24, the *Scheduled Start* date will be the following day (the date created plus 24 hours). If the response time is left blank in the priority settings, the *Scheduled Start* date will be blank when a work order is generated and must be updated manually. Note, that once you manually enter the *Scheduled Start* date, this cannot be amended. #### Workdays Only Checking this box will exclude non-workdays in the priority calculation. Workdays are set up in the *Work Week Plan* settings, which can be found in *Administrator \> Work \> Work Week Plan*. For example, if you have set Monday to Friday as your workdays, the priority calculation will ignore Saturday and Sunday and resume on the next workday. #### Active This box indicates if the priority is in use or not. If it is checked, this priority will be selectable against Standard Requests and on work orders. If unchecked, it won’t appear in the drop-down list for priorities. #### Save or Add If editing an existing priority select *Save*. If adding a new priority select *Add. ![](https://help.fmiworks.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Dec-14-2023-12-49-11-9801-AM.png?width=688&height=552&name=image-png-Dec-14-2023-12-49-11-9801-AM.png)* ### Selecting priorities Priorities that are set to 'Active' are selectable on work orders or Planned Jobs. ![](https://help.fmiworks.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Dec-14-2023-12-54-16-6933-AM.png?width=688&height=552&name=image-png-Dec-14-2023-12-54-16-6933-AM.png)   - [Resources](https://help.fmiworks.com/knowledge/resources?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Getting Support](https://help.fmiworks.com/knowledge/resources?hsLang=en#getting-support) - [Overviews](https://help.fmiworks.com/knowledge/resources?hsLang=en#overviews) - [Set Up](https://help.fmiworks.com/knowledge/resources?hsLang=en#set-up) - [Advanced Set Up](https://help.fmiworks.com/knowledge/resources?hsLang=en#advanced-set-up) - [Product Updates](https://help.fmiworks.com/knowledge/product-updates?hsLang=en#main-content) - [FMI Works Product Updates](https://help.fmiworks.com/knowledge/product-updates?hsLang=en#fmi-works-product-updates) - [Pulse Product Updates](https://help.fmiworks.com/knowledge/product-updates?hsLang=en#pulse-product-updates) - [Technical & Security](https://help.fmiworks.com/knowledge/technical-security?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Application Programmer Interface (API)](https://help.fmiworks.com/knowledge/technical-security?hsLang=en#application-programmer-interface-api) - [Cloud Specifications](https://help.fmiworks.com/knowledge/technical-security?hsLang=en#cloud-specifications) - [Operational Requirements](https://help.fmiworks.com/knowledge/technical-security?hsLang=en#operational-requirements) - [Security Policies](https://help.fmiworks.com/knowledge/technical-security?hsLang=en#security-policies) - [Security Updates](https://help.fmiworks.com/knowledge/technical-security?hsLang=en#security-updates) - [Facility Teams](https://help.fmiworks.com/knowledge/facility-teams?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Assets](https://help.fmiworks.com/knowledge/facility-teams?hsLang=en#assets) - [Dashboards & Reporting](https://help.fmiworks.com/knowledge/facility-teams?hsLang=en#dashboards-reporting) - [Financial](https://help.fmiworks.com/knowledge/facility-teams?hsLang=en#financial) - [Locations](https://help.fmiworks.com/knowledge/facility-teams?hsLang=en#locations) - [Planned Maintenance](https://help.fmiworks.com/knowledge/facility-teams?hsLang=en#planned-maintenance) - [Standard Requests](https://help.fmiworks.com/knowledge/facility-teams?hsLang=en#standard-requests) - [Supplier Management](https://help.fmiworks.com/knowledge/facility-teams?hsLang=en#supplier-management) - [User Management](https://help.fmiworks.com/knowledge/facility-teams?hsLang=en#user-management) - [Work Orders](https://help.fmiworks.com/knowledge/facility-teams?hsLang=en#work-orders) - [Attachments](https://help.fmiworks.com/knowledge/facility-teams?hsLang=en#attachments) - [Requesters](https://help.fmiworks.com/knowledge/requesters?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Accessing FMI](https://help.fmiworks.com/knowledge/requesters?hsLang=en#accessing-fmi) - [Requests](https://help.fmiworks.com/knowledge/requesters?hsLang=en#requests) - [Contractors](https://help.fmiworks.com/knowledge/contractors?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Accessing FMI](https://help.fmiworks.com/knowledge/contractors?hsLang=en#accessing-fmi) - [Accreditations & Inductions](https://help.fmiworks.com/knowledge/contractors?hsLang=en#accreditations-inductions) - [Quotes](https://help.fmiworks.com/knowledge/contractors?hsLang=en#quotes) - [Work Orders](https://help.fmiworks.com/knowledge/contractors?hsLang=en#work-orders) [![FMI](https://help.fmiworks.com/hs-fs/hubfs/FMI%20Logo%20Orange-1.png?width=99&height=33&name=FMI%20Logo%20Orange-1.png "FMI")](https://www.fmiworks.com/) Copyright © 2026, FMI Software Pty Ltd trading as FMI Works