Free Shop Workflow Spreadsheet

[sqslabs]

About a year ago I was looking for a way to keep myself more organized on the production side of things, and began looking into shop management software. It quickly became apparent that it would cost a bit more than I was looking to spend, and had a lot of features that I couldn't see myself using too much.  So I sat down with one of my employees and based on what we'd seen, we came up with an early version of this production worksheet. 

It has been revised numerous times since, but I think I've finally dialed it in to what works for me. Having everything in one place has really made life easier at the shop, and I honestly don't know what I'd do without it. So I figured maybe it could make someone else's life easier as well.

It's a basic Google spreadsheet, and can be accessed anywhere via computer, smartphone, tablet, etc. It can be shared between any number of employees of the company and edited in real time by multiple users, keeping everyone on the same page as to the status of every order.  And it can be edited to suit your needs quite easily, adding your own options to the pulldown menus, changing colors, etc.

Orders can be moved up or down in the order by clicking the corresponding row number on the left side and dragging whichever way you'd like it to go.  And you can add as many additional rows as you'd like by selecting a clear row's number on the left, right clicking, and selecting "Insert 1 below" as many times as you need.

If you'd like a copy of the spreadsheet, I can share the document with you through Google (it will require a free Gmail account), and once you have access to it, go to the File menu at the top and select "Make a copy".  Name it whatever you'd like, and and make sure the "Share it with the same people" option is NOT checked, or else I will have access to your sheet and will sabotage your business every second Tuesday.  Please don't edit anything before making your own copy as this is the one everyone will be using to generate their own.

If you're interested, PM me with your Gmail account and I'll send it over as soon as I see the message.  I can also make any edits to the spreadsheet that you'd like, so if there's something that you could use that isn't there, just ask and I'll make an edit .

[Get Shirts]

Awesome, THIS is why I love this site.

[TCT]

This can be a great tool in a few different places, GREAT contribution Brett!

[blue moon]

if I can make a quick suggestion, make a copy of the original and share the copy just in case somebody mucks it up . . .

sending PM!

thanx!!!!!!

pierre

p.s. look into TeeCal, it has low monthly fees and it will do most of what you need. (I will actually use this for something else, I think, and want to see how you implemented the color coordination).

[hoogie]

just got done playing with this system yesterday after I got it, lol I already have one contract customer using it...its working great...thank you for sharing this...we were just using a dry erase board and paper PO's...now that customer can go in there change dates show back orders, and move jobs to there preference...thanks again...

[sqslabs]

just got done playing with this system yesterday after I got it, lol I already have one contract customer using it...its working great...thank you for sharing this...we were just using a dry erase board and paper PO's...now that customer can go in there change dates show back orders, and move jobs to there preference...thanks again...

Nice!  Glad to hear it helped out.   

[Gilligan]

Where were you a couple weeks ago before I sat down and did this myself? :p

I am interested in implementing a few of the ideas that you have.

[Shanarchy]

PM'ing!

I've been doing something like this with google docs, but this is a much nicer version.

Thanks!!!

[Gilligan]

Just to share a bit myself... I plan on putting mine up on a 32" tv in place of the white board previously being used.

Shared workbook that anyone can edit and it displays changes on "the big board".  Color coding based on due dates allows you to see at a glance what the schedule is like.

[sqslabs]

Just to share a bit myself... I plan on putting mine up on a 32" tv in place of the white board previously being used.

Shared workbook that anyone can edit and it displays changes on "the big board".  Color coding based on due dates allows you to see at a glance what the schedule is like.

This is exactly what I am planning on doing as well.  I even looked into one of those "smart tv's" to see if it would be possible to move things around on the television itself, but I don't think it would work.  Kinda funny that you can get a 32" tv these days for the same price as a 32" white board. 

[Gilligan]

Don't buy "white boards"... Go to Home Depot and pick up a sheet of panel board... Same thing buy like $12 bucks for a 4x8 sheet.

We have a 7' wall covered with it for todo list and such for the wife and I.