Measure the Right Downtime A practical first step is to tailor the fleet’s downtime standard to the operating needs of each department or customer. Stanton recommended distinguishing between downtime the fleet controls and downtime caused by outside factors. “Fleet doesn’t control, nor should its downtime measure include, downtime related to accidents, abuse, or other outside factors.” Make Downtime a Shared Responsibility Separating controllable maintenance downtime from other causes can also help fleets hold operating departments and drivers accountable. But they give fleet managers more ways to schedule service around the work rather than scheduling the work around the shop.