Retail Planby RetailNorthstar
// Templates

Production WIP tracker template

A ready-to-use Excel production WIP tracker for apparel teams — manage POs, vendors, milestones, delivery risk, and production status across every open order in one sheet.

// What is inside
  • One row per PO with vendor/factory and style/color
  • Milestone columns — sample approval, fabric booking, cut/sew, packing, shipment
  • Ex-factory and in-store dates to anchor the critical path
  • Current status, delay reason, and a risk level on every order
  • Owner column so each PO has one accountable person
// Fields
PO NumberVendor/FactoryStyle/ColorOrder QuantityEx-Factory DateIn-Store DateSample ApprovalFabric BookingCut/SewPackingShipmentCurrent StatusDelay ReasonRisk LevelOwner
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// Who this is for

Production, sourcing, and operations teams tracking open purchase orders through manufacturing. It fits apparel brands coordinating multiple vendors and factories who need one view of status and delivery risk.

// How to use it
  1. Add a row per PO with its vendor/factory, style/color, order quantity, and key dates.
  2. Update each milestone column as sample approval, fabric booking, cut/sew, packing, and shipment complete.
  3. Keep current status and delay reason current so the team knows where each order stands.
  4. Set a risk level and an owner so the orders most likely to slip get attention.
// When this template starts to break

This template is useful when the workflow is owned by one person or one small team. It starts to break when multiple teams need the same version of the plan, when inputs change frequently, or when decisions need to flow into assortment, buying, purchase orders, production, and allocation.

// From spreadsheet to connected plan

Use the spreadsheet to get started. When the process becomes too manual, RetailNorthstar connects the plan, assortment, buy, PO, and production workflow.

Download the template →See RetailNorthstar →
// What RetailNorthstar automates

RetailNorthstar connects POs, vendor updates, T&A milestones, production WIP, and planning decisions in one workflow. From line plan to production, RetailNorthstar connects merchandising, design, buying, sourcing, and operations in one workflow.

Related: vendor scorecard template, production tracking, and how to build a T&A calendar.

// FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is a production WIP tracker?
A production WIP (work-in-progress) tracker is a sheet that follows each purchase order through the production milestones — sample approval, fabric booking, cut and sew, packing, and shipment — so a team can see status, delays, and delivery risk across all open orders.
What does this WIP tracker template include?
Each row covers a PO number, vendor/factory, style/color, order quantity, ex-factory and in-store dates, the production milestones, current status, delay reason, risk level, and owner. Sample rows are included to show how to fill it in.
How is this different from a T&A calendar?
A T&A (time and action) calendar plans the critical-path dates before production starts. A WIP tracker is used during production to record where each PO actually is against those dates and to flag risk as milestones move.
How should I use the risk level column?
Use the risk level to flag orders that are slipping against their ex-factory or in-store dates — for example low, medium, or high. Pair it with the delay reason so the team can prioritize the POs most likely to miss the floor set.

A spreadsheet WIP tracker works until updates arrive from many vendors at once. RetailNorthstar keeps PO status, vendor updates, and delivery risk current and connected to the plan.

Book a Demo →See it on RetailNorthstar →