Best Practices for Developing KPIs for Your Fleet

You can implement new technology, create new processes for data collection, and increase training time for your fleet drivers – but how do you know if any of it’s working? In order to determine whether any of your practices are helping your fleet thrive, you first need to create some goals – or, as they are better known in the corporate world, Key Performance Indicators. These Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) will allow to not only see the progress you have made, but also show you how to adjust your processes across the board for an even more successful future.

Measure the basics

Every fleet will need to decide which priorities matter to them most, and which of those priorities they want to measure for success. Items like safety, sustainability, productivity, and preventative maintenance are all examples of data you may want to track to increase the efficacy of your fleet.

For instance, when it comes to safety, you can use the telematics data that you already have to track the number of harsh braking incidents, speeding incidents, crashes, and other types of data that will help you increase your driver’s safety. Or, if you want to look at productivity, you might measure items like the average time spent completing a job, how long the driver must stay on site, and whether they encountered unexpected issues along the way, like a flat tire or closed roads.

Follow through with regular reviews

Measuring and tracking the data for your fleet is only useful if you take the time to review the numbers on a regular basis. You cannot improve any part of your fleet’s process without first understanding where they excel, where they need more work, and if any consistent issues arise on a regular basis or under particular circumstances.

Technology has come a long way in tracking KPIs, and there is even software specific to fleet management needs available. This is a good opportunity to utilize a resource that is ready and waiting – you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Set up a regular, recurring time in which you and your team can review the KPIs and discover what works best for your team and what still needs to be adjusted.

Remember, KPIs are a process – you may need to adjust your goals or methods multiple times before you find out how your fleet will thrive. By measuring as much data as you can and taking the time to review and understand it, you are giving your fleet its best chance to do great work.

More on Dickinson Fleet Services

Headquartered in Indianapolis, Dickinson Fleet Services (DFS) has grown to become one of the largest independent fleet maintenance and management companies in the country. DFS is the leading provider of on-site mobile maintenance and repair services nationwide, offering mobile on-site maintenance and repair services for light, medium and heavy-duty trucks and trailers with over 450 mobile units operating nationwide. DFS services fleet customers with 23 maintenance facilities each offering select services from accident repair, paint, refurbishment and dedicated technician services, combined with an in-house CARES CALL center providing 24/7 repair assistance. DFS has made significant investments in training and technology, including WebWrench® (maintenance tracking and scheduling through proprietary technology) and TRAIT® (real-time reporting and dynamic preventative maintenance inspections processed through a proprietary field service application) and is the only fleet services company in the nation to provide both fleet maintenance and management to its customers nationwide. www.dickinsonfleet.com