Operations · business glossary
What is WIP (Work In Progress)?
By Shivam Bhandari · Reviewed 31 October 2026 · How we write
definition
Items or tasks that have been started but not yet completed as they move through a process.
WIP (work in progress) explained
Work in progress is work that has started but isn't finished — partly made products or open tasks.
example
A tailoring shop with 40 garments cut but not yet stitched has 40 items of WIP.
why it matters
Too much WIP ties up cash and slows delivery; Little's law links WIP directly to lead time.
common mistake
Starting new jobs before finishing current ones.
Frequently asked questions
What is WIP (work in progress)?
Items or tasks that have been started but not yet completed as they move through a process. Work in progress is work that has started but isn't finished — partly made products or open tasks.
Why does WIP (work in progress) matter?
Too much WIP ties up cash and slows delivery; Little's law links WIP directly to lead time.
What is a common mistake with WIP (work in progress)?
Starting new jobs before finishing current ones.
Related terms
Bottleneck
The single slowest step in a process that limits how much the entire process can output, regardless of how fast other steps run.
TAT (turnaround time)
The time between a request entering a process and the result coming out the other end.
Inventory turnover
How many times a business sells and replaces its stock over a given period — a higher number generally means healthier cash flow.