Work Instruction

A step-by-step procedural document specifying how a manufacturing, assembly, or inspection operation should be performed — including tooling, tolerances, safety requirements, and quality checkpoints.

Why it matters

Work instructions are the bridge between engineering intent and shop floor execution. Poor instructions cause quality escapes and rework. AI-generated work instructions from structured BOM and process plan data reduce authoring time and improve consistency.

Cite this definition

Finocchiaro, Michael. “Work Instruction.” DemystifyingPLM PLM Glossary, 2026, https://www.demystifyingplm.com/glossary/work-instruction