Work Order (Warehouse)
Also known as: WO, Job Order, Service Order
Definition
A work order in warehouse operations is a document or digital instruction that authorizes specific tasks to be performed on inventory. Unlike pick tickets for order fulfillment, work orders typically cover value-added services, transformations, or special handling.
Common Work Order Types
| Type | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Kitting | Combine items into sets | Gift basket assembly |
| Labeling | Apply labels or tags | Price tags, UPC labels |
| Rework | Fix or modify products | Replace packaging |
| Assembly | Build from components | Furniture assembly |
| Inspection | Quality check | Pre-ship inspection |
| Packaging | Special packaging | Gift wrapping |
Work Order Components
Header Information
- Work order number
- Customer/client
- Due date
- Priority level
- Status
Task Details
- Items to be worked
- Quantity
- Specific instructions
- Materials needed
- Quality requirements
Completion Info
- Actual completion date
- Units completed
- Time spent
- Issues encountered
Work Order Workflow
- Create - WO issued for required task
- Assign - Allocated to worker/team
- Stage - Gather materials and inventory
- Execute - Perform the work
- Inspect - Quality check results
- Complete - Update inventory, close WO
- Bill - Invoice for services (if applicable)
Work Order Tracking
Metrics
- Work orders completed per day
- Average completion time
- On-time completion rate
- First-pass quality rate
Status Tracking
- Open/pending
- In progress
- On hold
- Completed
- Cancelled
Work Orders in WMS
Modern WMS systems:
- Create and route work orders
- Track materials consumption
- Monitor labor time
- Update inventory automatically
- Generate billing data
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