Production Stages

The Production Stages page allows authorized users to define and manage the operational steps used throughout the factory’s manufacturing workflow.

Each Production Stage represents a specific activity that an item may pass through during production.

Examples include:

Cutting

Bending

Rolling

Fit-Up

Welding

Auto Welding

Painting

Galvanizing

Assembly

Packing

Production Stages are used across Fabritec to connect:

Routes

Production tracking

Work Stations

Workstation Groups

Labour resources

Quality Control

Production planning

Productivity dashboards and reports

Correct Production Stage setup gives planners, supervisors, operators, and management a consistent view of how work moves through the factory.

Where to Find Production Stages

Navigate to:

Production Setup → Production Stages

The page displays all Production Stages configured for the organization.

The information and actions available depend on the logged-in user’s permissions.

What Production Stages Control

Production Stages help Fabritec determine:

The sequence of manufacturing activities

Which Work Stations can perform each activity

Which Workstation Groups are associated with each activity

Which labour resources are eligible to work on the stage

Whether Quality Control inspection is required

Whether the activity is completed internally or outsourced

The default time expected for the activity

How stages appear in production tracking and productivity reporting

A Production Stage should represent a real operational step that can be planned, executed, monitored, and reported.

Production Stages Page

The Production Stages page contains:

Production Stages grid

Stage ordering controls

Column controls

Column filters

Excel Export

PDF Export

Clear Filter

Reset Cache

Stage Productivity

Add Stage

Save Order

Stage actions

The grid may require horizontal scrolling to display all available columns and actions.

Production Stages Grid

Each row represents one Production Stage.

The grid may display the following columns:

Order

Name

Color

Requires Inspection

Outsourcing

Default Duration

Labours

Work Stations

Actions

The exact visible columns can be controlled using the Columns button.

Order

Displays the operational order of the Production Stage.

Examples:

1 — Bending

2 — Rolling

3 — Auto Welding

4 — Fitting

5 — Welding

The order helps users review stages in the intended factory sequence.

Use the drag handle beside a stage to move it up or down.

After changing the order, click Save Order to confirm the new sequence.

The Save Order button remains unavailable until an ordering change is made.

Stage Order and Routes

The Production Stages page provides the organization’s main stage order.

Individual Routes can still define the exact stages and sequence required for particular items or product types.

Changing the general stage order should therefore be reviewed carefully because it affects how users understand and navigate the factory workflow.

Name

Displays the Production Stage name.

Examples include:

Bending

Rolling

Auto Welding

Fitting

Welding

Use a name that supervisors and shop-floor teams recognize immediately.

Avoid creating multiple stages with slightly different names when they represent the same activity.

For example, avoid using all of the following unless they are genuinely different operations:

Welding

Weld

General Welding

Welding Process

Color

Displays the color assigned to the Production Stage.

The color helps users recognize the stage across visual areas such as:

Production tracking

Routes

Workflow displays

Progress timelines

Productivity screens

Stage indicators

The grid may display both:

A color sample

The configured color code

Use consistent colors so users can recognize the same stage across different pages.

Requires Inspection

Shows whether Quality Control approval is required for the stage.

Possible values include:

Yes

When Requires Inspection is enabled, items completing the stage must follow the applicable Quality Control workflow before continuing according to the configured production process.

Common examples include:

Fit-Up

Welding

Final Painting

Galvanizing

Final Assembly

Enable inspection only where a formal quality checkpoint is operationally required.

Outsourcing

Shows whether the Production Stage is normally completed by an external supplier.

Possible values include:

Yes

Typical outsourced stages may include:

Galvanizing

Heat Treatment

Powder Coating

Special Surface Treatment

External Machining

Enable Outsourcing only when the stage is performed outside the organization’s internal production operation.

Default Duration

Displays the standard expected duration of the Production Stage.

The value is entered as:

Hours:Minutes

Examples:

00:10 — ten minutes

00:40 — forty minutes

01:00 — one hour

02:00 — two hours

03:00 — three hours

The Default Duration can support:

Production planning

Workload estimation

Machine-load calculations

Productivity comparisons

Standard-hours calculations

Efficiency reporting

Use a realistic standard duration based on normal operating conditions.

The value should not represent an unusually fast best-case result or an exceptional delay.

Labours

The Labours column displays labour resources linked to the Production Stage.

Each labour may appear with:

Labour code

Labour name

Examples:

145 Naser Ahmed

679 Sayed Ahmed Ali

234 Ahmed Omar

LAB-010 Ehab Gamal

When more labour resources are linked than can be shown in the row, Fabritec displays an additional count such as:

Open the labour-linking action to review the complete list.

What Linking Labour to a Production Stage Means

Linking labour to a Production Stage identifies the people who are generally eligible to work on activities associated with that stage.

For example:

Pipe Bending Operators may be linked to Bending

Welders may be linked to Welding

Fitters may be linked to Fit-Up

Painters may be linked to Painting

Stage labour links can support:

Production resource organization

Workstation operator eligibility

Schedule planning

Operator assignment suggestions

Workstation coverage resolution

Labour and stage productivity analysis

A Production Stage link is not a daily workstation assignment.

It does not automatically mean that the labour:

Is present on a specific date

Is working a particular shift

Is assigned to a particular machine

Is available during every scheduled period

Daily coverage also depends on the labour’s shift, attendance, exceptions, and workstation assignments.

Stage-Eligible Labour and Derived Coverage

When a Work Station has no available day-specific operator assignment and no eligible directly linked operator, Fabritec may use labour linked to the Work Station’s Production Stage.

This may appear as Derived operator coverage in scheduling and productivity views.

Derived coverage means that the labour was selected from the wider Production Stage labour pool rather than from a direct Work Station operator link.

For clearer and more controlled staffing, frequently used operators should also be linked directly to their normal Work Stations.

Linking Labours to a Production Stage

To link labour resources:

Navigate to Production Setup → Production Stages.

Locate the required stage.

Click the Link Labours action.

Open the Labours field.

Select one or more labour resources.

Review the selected names, codes, and job titles.

Click Link.

The selected labour resources will appear in the stage’s Labours column.

Link Labours to Production Stage Window

The window contains a required Labours field.

The selection may display information such as:

Labour name

Labour code

Job title

Number of additional selected resources

Example:

Ahmed Omar (234) — Pipe Bending Operator +8 more

Use the available details to confirm that the correct people are selected.

Updating Stage Labour Links

To update the linked labour resources:

Open the Link Labours action.

Review the currently selected labour.

Add any newly eligible resources.

Remove resources who should no longer be linked.

Click Link to save the updated selection.

Removing a stage link does not delete:

The labour record

Historical production logs

Historical productivity data

However, it may affect future operator eligibility and derived workstation coverage.

Work Stations

The Work Stations column displays production resources connected to the stage.

The column may include:

Individual Work Stations

Workstation Groups

Workstation codes

Workstation names

Examples:

22 Angle Bending Machine

21 Pipe Bending Machine

42 Automatic Welding Machine

51 Galvanizing Bath

41 MIG/MAG Welding Station

Cutting Area

When more resources are linked than can be displayed, Fabritec may show an additional count such as:

When no resources are linked, the page displays:

No workstations

What Linking Work Stations to a Stage Means

Linking a Work Station to a Production Stage identifies the activity normally performed by that resource.

Example:

Work Station: Pipe Bending Machine

Production Stage: Bending

The connection can support:

Production-stage assignment

Production tracking

Pending-work allocation

Machine-load calculations

Workstation productivity

Stage-based labour eligibility

Scheduling and capacity reviews

What Linking Workstation Groups to a Stage Means

Linking a Workstation Group allows several related Work Stations to share the Production Stage.

Example:

Workstation Group: Cutting Area

Production Stage: Laser Cutting

Group members:

CNC Plasma Cutting Machine 234

CNC Plasma Cutting Machine 346

CNC Cutting Machine 2343

Work Stations without a direct Production Stage can inherit the stage from their Workstation Group.

Direct Work Station configuration takes priority over inherited group configuration.

Detailed group setup is covered in the separate Workstation Groups article.

Linking Work Stations and Groups

To connect production resources to a stage:

Navigate to Production Setup → Production Stages.

Locate the required stage.

Click the Link Workstations and Groups action.

Select one or more Work Stations.

Select one or more Workstation Groups when required.

Review the selected resources.

Click Link.

Either field may be used according to the required configuration.

Link Workstations and Groups Window

The window contains:

Work Stations

Workstation Groups

Link action

Work Stations

Select individual Work Stations that should be directly associated with the Production Stage.

Use direct links when:

A station performs a specific stage

The station is not part of a group

The station requires a stage different from its group

Individual control is required

Workstation Groups

Select groups whose member Work Stations should use the Production Stage as shared configuration.

Use group links when:

Several Work Stations perform the same activity

Similar machines should use one shared stage

Repeated individual configuration should be reduced

Direct and Inherited Stage Resolution

A Work Station can receive its Production Stage from:

A direct Work Station-stage connection

Its Workstation Group

Another applicable default configuration

A direct Work Station value takes priority over an inherited group value.

Example:

Group Stage: Rolling

Direct Work Station Stage: Welding

Resolved Work Station Stage: Welding

The Work Stations page may display:

Direct when the stage is configured directly

Inherited when the stage is received through a group

Adding a Production Stage

To create a new Production Stage:

Navigate to Production Setup → Production Stages.

Click Add Stage.

Enter the Name.

Enter a Description when required.

Enter the Default Duration.

Choose a Color.

Enable Require Inspection when applicable.

Enable Outsourcing when applicable.

Review the configuration.

10.

Click Add.

The stage will appear in the Production Stages grid after it is saved.

Add Production Stage Form

The form contains:

Name

Description

Default Duration

Color

Require Inspection

Outsourcing

Fields marked with an asterisk are required.

Name

Required field.

Enter a clear name for the production activity.

Examples:

Cutting

Bending

Rolling

Fit-Up

Welding

Painting

Assembly

Use terminology already recognized by the factory team.

Description

Optional field.

Enter additional information explaining the scope of the stage.

The rich-text editor supports formatting such as:

Bold

Italic

Underline

Paragraph styles

Numbered lists

Bulleted lists

Links

The Description may include:

Work performed during the stage

Machines normally used

Applicable materials

Important process requirements

Expected output

Quality requirements

Outsourcing notes

Example:

Bending of steel pipes and structural sections using approved bending machines and production drawings.

Descriptions should provide useful operational context without replacing formal work instructions.

Default Duration

Optional field.

Enter the expected standard duration using Hours and Minutes.

Examples:

Stage	Default Duration
Auto Welding	00:10
Fit-Up	00:40
Bending	01:00
Rolling	02:00
Welding	03:00

Fabritec saves the value as hours and minutes.

Leave the value at 0:00 only when no standard duration should currently be used.

Choose a Color

Required field.

Select one of the available stage colors.

The selected color helps visually distinguish the stage throughout Fabritec.

Use colors consistently.

For example:

Cutting stages may use one color family

Forming stages may use another

Welding stages may use another

Finishing stages may use another

Do not rely on color alone to communicate the stage because the stage name remains the primary identifier.

Require Inspection

Enable this setting when Quality Control inspection is mandatory before the item can continue according to the production workflow.

The form explains this as:

Make inspection mandatory before moving to the next stage

Enable it for stages where approval is required to confirm:

Dimensions

Fit-Up

Weld quality

Surface preparation

Coating quality

Final acceptance

Leave it disabled when no inspection checkpoint is required.

Outsourcing

Enable this setting when the stage is performed by an external supplier.

The form explains this as:

This stage will be outsourced

Use it for activities such as:

Hot-dip galvanizing

External machining

Heat treatment

Powder coating

Specialist testing

Leave it disabled for stages performed inside the organization.

Editing a Production Stage

To edit an existing stage:

Navigate to Production Setup → Production Stages.

Locate the required stage.

Click the Edit action.

Review the Name.

Update the Description.

Update the Default Duration.

Change the Color when required.

Review Require Inspection.

Review Outsourcing.

10.

Save the changes.

Changing a stage can affect:

Routes

Production tracking

Quality Control

Planning

Productivity

Linked labour

Linked Work Stations

Review dependencies before changing the meaning of an existing stage.

Reordering Production Stages

The order of Production Stages can be changed using drag-and-drop.

To reorder the stages:

Locate the stage in the Production Stages grid.

Hold the drag handle beside the stage order number.

Drag the stage up or down to the required position.

Release the stage in its new position.

Repeat the process for any additional stages.

Click Save Order to confirm the new sequence.

The Save Order button remains inactive until at least one stage has been moved.

After a stage is reordered, the button becomes active, indicating that there are unsaved ordering changes.

The new sequence is not saved until Save Order is clicked.

Unsaved Stage Order

If you leave or refresh the page before clicking Save Order, the reordered sequence may not be retained.

Always click Save Order after completing the drag-and-drop changes.

Deleting a Production Stage

To delete a stage:

Locate the required Production Stage.

Click the Delete action.

Review the confirmation message.

Confirm the deletion.

Deletion may be restricted when the stage is already connected to operational records such as:

Routes

Items

Production progress

Work Stations

Workstation Groups

Labour links

Quality Control records

When a stage is already in use, editing or retaining it may be safer than deleting it.

Opening Stage Productivity

Click Stage Productivity to open the Production Stage performance area.

Stage Productivity helps authorized users review operational performance by production activity.

Information may include:

Production output

Production duration

Hours per unit

Stage utilization

Labour productivity

Rework

Quality performance

Stage trends

The available information depends on the user’s permissions and recorded production data.

Searching and Reviewing Production Stages

Search

Use the Search field to find records using information such as:

Stage name

Labour name

Labour code

Work Station name

Work Station code

Search works together with active grid filters.

Column Filters

Use the filter icon in a column header to narrow the displayed stages.

Filters may be applied to fields such as:

Order

Name

Color

Requires Inspection

Outsourcing

Default Duration

Labour

Work Stations

Clear Filter

Click Clear Filter to remove active grid filters.

This restores the complete Production Stages list available to the user.

Columns

Click Columns to show or hide grid columns.

For example, a user reviewing resource setup may display:

Name

Labours

Work Stations

Actions

A Quality Control manager may focus on:

Name

Requires Inspection

Outsourcing

Actions

Reset Cache

Click Reset Cache when recently saved changes do not appear correctly in the grid.

This rebuilds the cached grid display.

Use it after reloading the page when stage, labour, or Work Station information still appears outdated.

Excel Export

Click Excel Export to export the Production Stages grid for external review or reporting.

The export may reflect the current visible and filtered data.

PDF Export

Click PDF Export to create a PDF version of the Production Stages information.

Review the visible columns before exporting to keep the output readable.

Expanding a Stage Row

Use the arrow beside a stage when additional row details are available.

The expanded area may provide further information about the Production Stage and its connections.

Click the arrow again to collapse the row.

Production Stage Actions

Depending on the user’s permissions, the Actions column may include:

Open productivity or stage details

Edit

Delete

Link Labours

Link Work Stations and Workstation Groups

Use each action according to the type of configuration being changed.

How Production Stages Are Used Across Fabritec

Routes

Routes define which Production Stages an item must pass through and in what sequence.

Different item types can use different Routes.

Work Stations

Work Stations can be linked directly to the Production Stage they normally perform.

Workstation Groups

A Production Stage can be linked to a group so that related Work Stations can inherit shared stage configuration.

Labour Resources

Labour linked to a stage becomes part of the stage-level eligible labour pool.

This can support operator planning and derived Work Station coverage.

Production Tracking

Stages define the operational steps shown when production progress is recorded.

Quality Control

When Require Inspection is enabled, the stage participates in the applicable inspection workflow.

Planning and Machine Load

Default Duration and Work Station relationships help Fabritec estimate workload and pending production hours.

Productivity

Recorded output, duration, rework, labour, and Work Station data can be analyzed by Production Stage.

Outsourcing

Outsourced stages identify activities completed outside the internal factory workflow while remaining part of the item’s operational Route.

Permissions

Relevant permissions may include:

Permission to view Production Setup

Permission to create Production Stages

Permission to edit Production Stages

Permission to delete Production Stages

Permission to reorder Production Stages

Permission to link labour resources

Permission to link Work Stations and Workstation Groups

Permission to view Stage Productivity

A user may be able to view stage information without being able to change it.

Governance Rules

Every Production Stage must have a clear Name.

Choose a Color for every stage.

Keep stage names consistent across the organization.

Use Default Duration only when a meaningful standard can be defined.

Enable Require Inspection only for required quality checkpoints.

Enable Outsourcing only for externally completed activities.

Link labour resources that are genuinely eligible to work on the stage.

Stage labour links do not replace daily Work Station assignments.

Link Work Stations that genuinely perform the stage.

Use Workstation Groups when several related stations share the stage.

Direct Work Station stages take priority over inherited group stages.

Review operator coverage after changing stage-labour relationships.

Review Work Stations after changing stage-resource relationships.

Review Routes before deleting or significantly changing a stage.

Save the order after rearranging stages.

Do not create duplicate stages for the same activity without an operational reason.

Example Production Stage Configuration

Bending

Field	Example Value
Name	Bending
Description	Bending steel pipes and structural sections using approved machinery
Default Duration	01:00
Color	Selected forming-stage color
Require Inspection	Yes
Outsourcing	No
Linked Labours	Pipe Bending Operators
Linked Work Stations	Angle Bending Machine, Pipe Bending Machine

Welding

Field	Example Value
Name	Welding
Description	MIG/MAG welding of structural-steel joints
Default Duration	03:00
Color	Selected welding-stage color
Require Inspection	Yes
Outsourcing	No
Linked Labours	Welders and Welding Operators
Linked Work Stations	MIG/MAG Welding Stations

Galvanizing

Field	Example Value
Name	Galvanizing
Description	Hot-dip galvanizing performed by an approved external supplier
Default Duration	48:00
Color	Selected finishing-stage color
Require Inspection	Yes
Outsourcing	Yes
Linked Labours	Relevant coordination or inspection resources
Linked Work Stations	Galvanizing or outsourced processing resource where applicable

⭐ Best Practices

Use clear, industry-recognized stage names.

Match stages to the real factory workflow.

Keep the number of stages detailed enough for control but simple enough for daily use.

Configure realistic Default Durations.

Review actual production data before changing duration standards.

Use colors consistently across similar activities.

Do not rely on colors without clear stage names.

Enable inspection only where a controlled QC gate is required.

Mark only genuinely external activities as Outsourced.

Link labour according to real operational eligibility.

Remove outdated labour links when roles or responsibilities change.

Link individual Work Stations when direct control is required.

Use Workstation Groups to reduce repeated configuration.

Review inherited and direct stage relationships from the Work Stations page.

Review Routes before changing stage names or meaning.

Save the stage order after rearranging rows.

Review Stage Productivity to identify unrealistic durations, recurring rework, or resource pressure.

Keep Production Stages aligned with how work is actually planned and executed.

Routes – How stages are used to build manufacturing workflows

Workstations – Machines and labour units that perform these stages

Labours – Assigning workers to operations

Phase Production – Tracking progress during manufacturing

Where to Find Production Stages#

What Production Stages Control#

Production Stages Page#

Production Stages Grid#

Order#

Stage Order and Routes#

Name#

Color#

Requires Inspection#

Outsourcing#

Default Duration#

Labours#

What Linking Labour to a Production Stage Means#

Stage-Eligible Labour and Derived Coverage#

Linking Labours to a Production Stage#

Link Labours to Production Stage Window#

Updating Stage Labour Links#

Work Stations#

What Linking Work Stations to a Stage Means#

What Linking Workstation Groups to a Stage Means#

Linking Work Stations and Groups#

Link Workstations and Groups Window#

Work Stations#

Workstation Groups#

Direct and Inherited Stage Resolution#

Adding a Production Stage#

Add Production Stage Form#

Name#

Description#

Default Duration#

Choose a Color#

Require Inspection#

Outsourcing#

Editing a Production Stage#

Reordering Production Stages#

Unsaved Stage Order#

Deleting a Production Stage#

Opening Stage Productivity#

Searching and Reviewing Production Stages#

Search#

Column Filters#

Clear Filter#

Columns#

Reset Cache#

Excel Export#

PDF Export#

Expanding a Stage Row#

Production Stage Actions#

How Production Stages Are Used Across Fabritec#

Routes#

Work Stations#

Workstation Groups#

Labour Resources#

Production Tracking#

Quality Control#

Planning and Machine Load#

Productivity#

Outsourcing#

Permissions#

Governance Rules#

Example Production Stage Configuration#

Bending#

Welding#

Galvanizing#

⭐ Best Practices#

🔗 Related Articles#

Where to Find Production Stages

What Production Stages Control

Production Stages Page

Production Stages Grid

Order

Stage Order and Routes

Name

Color

Requires Inspection

Outsourcing

Default Duration

Labours

What Linking Labour to a Production Stage Means

Stage-Eligible Labour and Derived Coverage

Linking Labours to a Production Stage

Link Labours to Production Stage Window

Updating Stage Labour Links

Work Stations

What Linking Work Stations to a Stage Means

What Linking Workstation Groups to a Stage Means

Linking Work Stations and Groups

Link Workstations and Groups Window

Work Stations

Workstation Groups

Direct and Inherited Stage Resolution

Adding a Production Stage

Add Production Stage Form

Name

Description

Default Duration

Choose a Color

Require Inspection

Outsourcing

Editing a Production Stage

Reordering Production Stages

Unsaved Stage Order

Deleting a Production Stage

Opening Stage Productivity

Searching and Reviewing Production Stages

Search

Column Filters

Clear Filter

Columns

Reset Cache

Excel Export

PDF Export

Expanding a Stage Row

Production Stage Actions

How Production Stages Are Used Across Fabritec

Routes

Work Stations

Workstation Groups

Labour Resources

Production Tracking

Quality Control

Planning and Machine Load

Productivity

Outsourcing

Permissions

Governance Rules

Example Production Stage Configuration

Bending

Welding

Galvanizing

⭐ Best Practices

🔗 Related Articles