Glossary
What Is WIP (Work in Progress)?
Clear definition, a shop-floor example, related terms and the FOS modules that put it into practice.
Definitions · examples · module links
Answer
What is WIP (work in progress)?
Work in progress (WIP) is material and labour already issued to open work orders but not yet received into finished goods. Live WIP replaces end-of-day status chats when operators report against stations. WIP valuation for finance follows your accounting policy — the operational system tracks quantities and status; statutory valuation rules stay with finance and your auditor.
Manufacturing example
A sheet-metal job has laser and press complete; powder-coat is still at the vendor. FOS shows the order as WIP with quantity at the subcontract stage rather than “done” in someone’s notebook, so sales does not promise dispatch from wishful status.
Inputs
Work order issues, operation completions, subcontract receipts, scrap / rework when logged.
Outputs
Quantity by stage, bottleneck visibility, basis for completion into FG.
Related terms
Work order, Job work, routing, finished goods.
FOS modules
See the term on your shop floor.
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Explore related topics
How is WIP different from inventory?
Inventory is stock in stores. WIP is quantity already issued to open work orders and not yet finished goods.
Who owns WIP accuracy?
Production reporting and stores issues. Without timely operation completions, WIP becomes fiction.
Does FOS value WIP for statutory accounts?
FOS tracks operational WIP quantities and status. Valuation methods for books follow your accounting policy and auditor — confirm during implementation.
Which module shows live WIP?
Production — /modules/production — with links to Inventory and Quality.
Related terms?
See /glossary/work-order and /glossary/job-work.