Assigning steps to an operation

You can assign steps to an operation so that tracking of the discrete operator work or actions within an operation can be controlled and sequenced.

Individual steps are assigned to step groups. These step groups can be defined as repeatable so that an operator is allowed to perform the steps multiple times if necessary and the system will track the events for the individual steps within the step group. Non-repeatable step groups contain steps that only need to be performed once in the operation, such as setup and teardown steps. Repeatable step groups contain steps that must be performed for every batch or group of work against a job at an operation.

An additional feature of the steps functionality is a sequence number for the steps and the step groups. You must specify an order by providing the sequence number for the step groups and steps. This sequence number controls the order that the work must be performed. A higher numbered step cannot start until a lower numbered step within a step group is completed. This sequence also controls the same control of ordering for step groups. In the case where step groups have the same sequence number, then steps in the groups can be performed in any order. The same applies to the case where steps have the same sequence number; the steps can then be performed in any order.