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Create a Work Order Type

Set up a work order type that matches how your team actually works — and reports on it.

Ivan Jelinic avatar
Written by Ivan Jelinic
Updated over 3 months ago

Audience:

Facility Admins and Production Leads

Estimated Time:

5–10 minutes


Overview

Learn how to set up a work order type that fits how your team really works. Getting it right from the start means smoother tracking and more consistent data.


Before You Start

  • You must have the Admin or Member role

  • Be familiar with your facility’s standard production workflows

  • (Optional) Review your current list of work order types before creating a new one


Step 1: Navigate to Work Order Types

To start building a new type, head into the Work Orders module.

  1. Click on the Work Orders module in the left-hand nav

  2. Select Work Order Types from the submenu

🗒️ Note: If you don’t see Work Order Types, check your role permissions


Step 2: Start a New Work Order Type

Launch the form to define your new work order type.

  1. Select + New Work Order Type in the top-right of the screen

  2. A side panel will slide out with the setup form

🗒️ Note: Your progress won’t be saved until you click “Create” at the end


Step 3A: Set Up Core Work Order Details

Start by completing the general setup details at the top of the form.

  1. Enter a clear, descriptive Name for your work order type

  2. Use the checkboxes to enable key behaviors like:

    • Archive remaining plants when the work order is closed

    • Show processing loss, and select the related Inventory Products if applicable

  3. Configure other optional rules such as:

    • Whether to allow adding/removing records or equipment after close/lock

    • How inputs and outputs behave by default

    • Whether outputs default to existing inventory or create new

  4. Choose a Default Printer Job Template if needed

  5. Select any Required Records or Related Records, and enable the “Record PDFs follow Related Record Order” option if needed

Pro Tip: Use Required Records to enforce SOP compliance — the work order can’t close until the record is completed

🗒️ Note:

  • Related Records append an In-Progress copy of the selected schema when the work order is created

  • Required Records keep the work order open until that record is added

  • If “Record PDFs follow Related Record Order” is checked, the final PDF will follow the order of the listed related records first, then by creation time. If unchecked, all records appear in creation order


Step 3B: Set Up Inputs, Outputs, and Destruction Categories

Choose what types of materials and plant actions are tied to this work order.

  1. Set the Inventory Input and Output Categories — this controls what items can be brought into or produced from the work order

  2. Toggle options for:

    • Plant Inputs — when plants are used to start the work order

    • Plant Outputs — when new plants are created

    • Plant Destruction — if this process terminates plants

Pro Tip: You can enable all three plant options or just the ones your workflow needs — it’s fully flexible

🗒️ Note:

  • If the Inventory Categories/Products section is left blank, all inventory products can be added as inputs, outputs, or destruction items

  • These settings define the scope of what’s allowed — double-check with your team for process alignment


Step 3C: Set Up Location Changes and Save

Finish off by defining location rules and saving your work.

  1. Use the Location Changes section to restrict or allow specific output and destruction locations

  2. Click the Create button when you’re done

Pro Tip: Keep it flexible — use broader location settings if workflows vary

Pro Tip: When a batch is moved to a Work Order Location or during closure, that movement is tied to the Work Order — to undo it, return to that specific Work Order

🗒️ Note:

  • The selected locations act as filters for where inventory can be sent or destroyed

  • Changes to Work Order Type settings only affect new and open work orders of that type — not closed ones


Troubleshooting

  • Problem: Your work order type is missing from the list

    • Fix: Ensure it was successfully created and not archived

  • Problem: Can't undo a location move tied to a work order

    • Fix: Open the original work order where the movement happened and undo the change from there

  • Problem: Updates to a work order type aren’t applying

    • Fix: Edits only apply to newly created or currently open work orders of that type — closed work orders won’t reflect changes


What’s Next?

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