Each production order or template should have at least one routing step. Steps are actions that need to be performed in order to create the finished goods. Production steps have the following purpose:
1. Steps provide a sequence of actions that need to be performed in order to complete the production order.
2. Steps contain detail and drawing where needed to ensure the operators perform actions according to required standards.
3. Steps can link specific persons and stations to a specific task to ensure everybody knows what they should be doing.
4. Steps provide QA tools to ensure the required quality checks are done when and where needed.
5. Steps provide continuous improvement opportunity to eliminate recurring problems and risks. Typically a template will be updated when a new step or check is required.
6. Steps provide logging detail for the production process and personnel. This provides valuable insight into how long steps take, difficulties, exceptions, rosters, etc.
7. Steps provide factory floor to do lists that are ordered, prioritised and effective.
8. Steps provide progress feedback. The progress on a production order is derived from progress in the steps. This is valuable when it comes to assessing estimated delivery times.