Katana's task management system allows for precise allocation and tracking of tasks to resources and operators, crucial for streamlining production processes. This guide delves into setting up and managing tasks on the Make screen.
The Tasks tab in the Make screen is a detailed and prioritized task list for each Resource. A Resource could be something like a workstation (e.g. Cutting table, Assembly machine) or a person who can be assigned to a specific Production operation. Katana creates task lists for your Resources based on open manufacturing orders (MO).
To manage Resource tasks, define the Production operations and Resources for your products. Afterward, you can use the Tasks tab to track the production process in detail.
You can also assign tasks to Operators who can log in to the Shop Floor App to see and complete the tasks.
You can also map default Operators to Resources so that you don't have to assign tasks to Operators each time manually.
Production Operations, Resources, and Operators
For each product, you can define Production operations (i.e. specific production steps to produce a product).
In the Production operations area of a product card, you can assign a Resource to each Operation step. This enables task management for each Resource in the Tasks tab of the Make screen.
When you create a MO for a product, Resources are assigned to each Production operation automatically based on your setup in Production operations for the product. Resources can be edited on each MO.
You can assign Operators to Operations on a MO or assign a default Operator(s) to each Resource from Settings screen → Resources (read more). Default Operators cannot be mapped directly to Production operations, only to Resources.
Read more about how Production operations, Resources, and Operators are related.
Tasks tab
The Tasks tab groups all Production operations related to an open MO by Resource.
Resources can be deleted and reordered from Settings screen → Resources.
The Tasks tab also shows the Operators that have been assigned to tasks and enables you to assign and re-assign Operators.
Use the Assigned to column's filter box to sort tasks assigned by a specific Operator.
All completed Production operation steps are moved to the Done table of the Tasks tab. You can use this view or export the completed tasks to analyze Resources performance. Read more about Production operations reports.
Priority of tasks
Tasks are listed by priority, which matches that of the underlying MO, and can be changed from the Schedule tab in the Make screen. You can't change the priority of single tasks from the Tasks tab.
Status of Production operations
The status of each Production operation can be tracked and changed.
Examples
Problem case 1
You have a workshop where each step of the production process is done by a specific workstation - you need to assign production operations to each workstation.
Solution:
For Product X, you've defined the following Production operations: cutting, sewing, and packaging. In the Production operations page for Product X, you assign Workstation 1 to Cutting, Workstation 2 to Sewing, and Workstation 3 to Packaging.
For Product Y, you've defined the following Production operations: cutting, gluing, quality control, and packaging. In the Production operations page for Product Y, you assign Workstation 1 to Cutting, Workstation 4 to Gluing, Workstation 5 to Quality Control, and Workstation 3 to Packaging.
When you create a MO for Product X and Y, you don't need to edit any Resources on the MO as the same operations are always completed by the same workstations.
You can use the Tasks tab as a task list for your workstations.
How the Schedule tab, manufacturing order card, and Tasks tab will look:
Schedule tab:
Manufacturing order card:
Tasks tab:
Problem case 2
You have a workshop where one employee typically makes the product from start to finish. You have more than one employee who can make the same product, and you want to assign the whole MO to a certain employee after creating the MO.
Solution:
For Product X, you defined the following Production operations: cutting, sewing, and packaging. On the Production operations page for Product X, you won't assign Resources to any Operations as there isn't a default assignee. You assign a Resource after the MO is created.
For Product Y, you defined the following Production operations: cutting, gluing, quality control, and packaging. On the Production operations page for Product Y, you don't assign a Resource to any Operations as there is no default assignee. You assign a Resource after the MO is created.
When you create a MO for Product X or Y, you open the MO and assign a Resource to defined Operations. You assign the same Resource (employee) to every operation step on the MO as one employee completes the production from start to finish.
How the Schedule tab, manufacturing order card, and Tasks tab will look:
Schedule tab:
Manufacturing order card:
Tasks tab:
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