Routing
A routing is the detailed sequence of operations that a product goes through during manufacturing — the workstations, work centers, labor, equipment, tooling, and inspection points required to build the product from raw materials to finished goods. Each routing operation is a step: station 1 (weld frame), station 5 (paint), station 8 (assemble dash), station 12 (final test). The routing is derived from the mBOM during process planning and is executed by MES, which captures actual labor, time, scrap, and deviations against the planned routing.
Why it matters
The routing is the bridge between planning and execution. ERP generates a work order against a specific routing and cost. MES executes that routing operation by operation, collecting the as-built configuration and quality data. An accurate routing is required for cost estimation, throughput planning, work-order generation, and traceability during audit or recall. An inaccurate or stale routing causes MES to execute against phantom work or miss critical steps.
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Cite this definition
Finocchiaro, Michael. “Routing.” DemystifyingPLM PLM Glossary, 2026, https://www.demystifyingplm.com/glossary/routing