How to set up spreadsheet to track replaced parts

[Ed from AZ]

I track parts that are replaced on our machinery. Most of these are
not a problem, but there's one that has me hoping for an easier way.

One part is used in 170 different places. When one is replaced, I
need to note some parameters, reason for replacement, and the position
code of the part. At certain points, we pull the machine in and
replace all 170 in one fell swoop, including any newer replacements.
To top it off, there may be different brands of these parts - all the
same part, just from a different place, and that also needs to be
noted. And then I need to calculate the lifespan of the part from the
parameters I entered.

One or two get replaced - no problem: filter on the position code,
find the last time it was replaced, and enter a formula of "= ThisCell
- ThatCell". But if they replace all 170 at once?? That's a lot of
filtering! And then the monkey wrench: "Wow! That ne lasted a long
time in that position - most of them get replaced long before now."
"Oh yeah - we forgot to tell you that we replaced that one last
month!" Now I have to insert it, and then recalculate every affected
lifespan!!

Any suggestions?
Ed

 

[JLatham]

Could you filter on the part number instead of the position code and work
from there for those times when all of them are changed out? Might even sort
by position code after filtering to make finding individual ones a little
easier in the list.