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Deferred Requests

The Deferred checkbox on a request handles situations where part of a job is done but more work still needs to happen — typically at a later date or by an external party.

Why Use Deferred

When a job is partially complete, leaving a request as In Progress implies the asset is unavailable and affects downtime calculations. Closing the request instead means losing the connection between the two parts of the job.

The Deferred checkbox lets you set the request to Work Complete (indicating the current portion is done) while signalling that more work is required before the request can be closed. It keeps all work under a single request without misrepresenting the asset's availability.

When to Use It

Deferred is most useful when work is split across two phases — for example, internal workshop repairs followed by an external specialist visit, or a job paused while waiting on a part.

The Deferred flag is visible in the Outstanding Items panel on the Workshop Dashboard under Requests Deferred, making it easy for supervisors to track jobs still in progress.

Workflow Example

A vehicle needs an internal repair now and an external specialist repair later:

  1. Create and schedule a single request to capture both parts of the job.
  2. Create a work order for the in-house repair.
  3. Set the request to In Progress and carry out the work, recording the details on the work order.
  4. Set the request to Work Complete and tick Deferred — this indicates the first part is done but more work is pending.
  5. When the external work is ready to begin, untick Deferred and set the request back to In Progress.
  6. Create a work order for the external part and carry out the work.
  7. Set the request to Work Complete once the external work is complete.
  8. Set the request to Closed once all details are finalised.

Deferred vs On Hold

The On Hold status on a work order serves a similar purpose at the work order level — pausing a specific piece of work pending parts or information. Deferred is used at the request level to pause the whole job.

Published: May 2026 · Formbird FLEET 4.2.8