Give every workshop slot the right context.

Start with the appointment promise

Workshop planning should state what is expected to happen, for which vehicle and with which tire set. We distinguish a tentative slot from a confirmed appointment, then check that the set is available and that the vehicle can arrive within the agreed window. This simple discipline prevents a workshop from reserving capacity for an item still sitting in an unresolved inventory queue.

For fleets, appointment groups can be arranged by depot, route return or vehicle priority. A vehicle that cannot be released without a seasonal change may deserve a different place in the schedule from a vehicle with a flexible operating window. The right sequence depends on business consequences, not only on first-come order.

Prepare the workshop handoff

Before arrival, the workshop should receive a concise handoff: vehicle reference, requested work, set ID, known condition note and any transport detail. The set should be marked as reserved or in transit, not merely “available.” At completion, the workshop confirms what was fitted, what was removed and where the removed set is going next.

When work takes longer than expected, a visible exception status helps operations decide whether to extend the slot, move the vehicle, arrange a replacement set or revise the transport plan. Quiet delays are harder to manage than explicit ones.

Dedicated windows or flexible capacity?

Workshop checklist

• Confirm vehicle, set and requested work together.
• Reserve realistic arrival and preparation time.
• Share set condition or inspection exceptions in advance.
• Record completion, removed-set destination and next owner.
• Escalate delays before the vehicle misses its operating window.