Stages and Work Steps

Last updated 9 days ago

Introduction

Setting up shop stations and the different work steps is essential for maintaining an organized workflow. This article will guide you through the process of creating and managing stages and steps, including adding, editing, sequencing, importing, and exporting them.

Step-by-Step Guide

  • Open the rules engine from your dashboard.
  • Look for the "Stages" tab at the top and click on it.
  • Observe the top left for different shop locations.
  • Notice the "Add" or "More options" button on the top right hand side.

Viewing Stage Details

  • Scroll through the available stations, like floor framing.
  • Click on "Details" next to the station you want to explore.
  • Here, you'll see key information like step name, the number of required people, and buttons for edit or archive.

Adding a New Stage

  • Click the button at the top right labeled "Add Stage."
  • [SCREENSHOT PLACEHOLDER: the Add Stage dialog with name and order capacity]
  • Enter the stage name and maximum order capacity (number of orders that can be held in that stage).
  • Choose your shop from the available options.
  • Click "Save." The new stage will appear at the bottom of the list.

Adding Steps to the Stage

  • Click "Details" on the new stage.
  • Click the "Add" button at the top right of the details screen.
  • Enter the name for the step, like "test step."
  • Input the number of people required (e.g., two) and the estimated time for completion (e.g., 15 minutes).
  • Click "Save" to add the step.

Editing Stages and Steps

  • To edit, click the pencil or "Edit" button next to the desired stage or step.
  • Modify the details as needed.
  • To remove, click the "Archive" button and confirm your choice.
  • To change the sequence of stages, use the six-dot selection to click, drag, and drop the stages in the preferred order.

Bulk Import of Stages and Steps

  • Click the three-dot menu at the top right corner in the Stages tab.
  • Select "Import" to add a new stage or multiple stages.
  • Use a template provided by your Building Swell representative.
  • Match the parameters in the import screen with those in the template.
  • Check for green indications, ensuring everything matches, then click "Continue."

Exporting and Re-importing

  • To export existing stages, click the "More Options" button at the top right.
  • Select "Export," make necessary changes offline in the downloaded file.
  • Follow the import steps (see previous section) to re-import the edited stages.

Step Times

Stages and steps carry three time figures plus a crew size. The short version is below. For the full model see Cycle Time, Duration, and Float.

  1. Cycle Time. The work itself, in hours. Shift-agnostic.

  2. Duration. That cycle time wrapped into the shift the work runs on, in weeks, days, hours, and minutes.

  3. Float. Duration minus Cycle Time. The calendar time the shift adds.

  4. People. Crew size on the step. Set it to 0 for a wait/cure step: pure elapsed time (weekends included) that does not follow the shift.

A step with People set to 0 and nothing nested inside it is badged Wait and shown in its own colour. Its Duration tracks raw Cycle Time one-to-one, so a 24-hour cure reads 24 hours rather than three shift days.

[SCREENSHOT PLACEHOLDER: the steps table showing Cycle Time, Duration, Float, People and a Wait badge]

[SCREENSHOT PLACEHOLDER: a step with People set to 0, showing the Wait badge and its colour]

[SCREENSHOT PLACEHOLDER: the People field tooltip explaining the 0 = wait/cure rule]

Tips & Tricks

  • Order capacity is based on the number of orders a single station can hold. Sometimes this is a very clear upper limit, and other times it varies.
  • Utilize the import/export features for mass changes to stages and steps.
  • Reach out to your Building Swell representative for an import template if needed.

FAQ

How do I sequence stages?

  • Use the six-dot selection to click and drag to arrange the sequence.

Can I bulk edit stages and steps?

  • Yes, you can export, make changes, and re-import them.

Conclusion

Setting up and managing stages and work steps in your shop stations is a streamlined process that enables efficient workflow organization. By following this guide, you can easily add, edit, sequence, and import/export stages to suit your specific needs. For any additional assistance, refer to the associated tips and tricks or reach out to your Building Swell representative.

Video walkthrough

Stages and Work Steps