How Do Factories Control Work-in-Progress Inventory?

Work-in-progress control uses stage tracking, quantity reconciliation, and limits on accumulating unfinished output.

Progress reports should distinguish planned dates from completed quantities and documented exceptions. Track the order through identifiable stages and ask what evidence supports each update; early escalation is more useful than a percentage-complete estimate that hides material shortages, approval gaps, or growing work-in-progress inventory. Investigate growing queues promptly.