Production Guide
The Production module manages production runs — the batch processing of raw oil into finished cooking oil products. This guide covers how to create, track, edit, and analyze production runs in the LGO ERP system.
Overview
The Production module provides:
- A complete list of all production runs (historical and current)
- Creation and management of production run records
- Automatic yield percentage and cost-per-litre calculations
- Status tracking through the production lifecycle
- Date-based filtering for reporting
- CSV export for analysis
Role access: The Production module is accessible to Admin and Production roles only.
Understanding Production Runs
A production run represents a batch processing event where raw material (crude or unrefined oil) is refined or processed into a finished product. Each production run captures:
- What was produced (product name)
- When it was produced (start and end dates)
- How much raw material went in (input volume in litres)
- How much finished product came out (output volume in litres)
- How much it cost (input cost and output cost)
- How efficient the process was (yield %)
- What stage the run is in (status)
Date Filtering
Before viewing the production list, you can filter by date range:
- Navigate to Production in the sidebar.
- Locate the date filter controls at the top of the page.
- Set a Start Date to view production runs from that date onward.
- Set an End Date to view production runs up to that date.
- Set both to define a specific date range.
- Leave both empty to view all production runs.
- The table updates automatically to show matching records.
Viewing the Production List
The production table displays all production runs with the following columns:
| Column | Description |
|---|---|
| Product Name | The finished product being produced |
| Start Date | When the production run began |
| End Date | When the production run was completed |
| Batches | Number of batches processed in this run |
| Input (L) | Volume of raw material input in litres |
| Output (L) | Volume of finished product output in litres |
| Yield % | Efficiency ratio — Output ÷ Input × 100 |
| Status | Current stage of the production run |
| Cost | Total production cost |
DataTable Features
The production table includes all standard DataTable capabilities:
Sorting
- Click any column header to sort by that column.
- Click the same header again to toggle ascending/descending order.
Searching
- Use the SearchBar to find production runs by product name, status, or date.
- Results update as you type.
Pagination
- Use the pagination controls at the bottom of the table.
- Adjust rows per page to show more or fewer records.
Creating a New Production Run
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Navigate to Production in the sidebar.
- Click the + New Production Run button (top-right of the production table).
- A form will appear. Complete each field as follows:
Step 1: Select Product Name
- Click the Product Name dropdown.
- Select the finished product you are producing from the list of active products.
Step 2: Enter Production Dates
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Start Date | The date production began |
| End Date | The date production was completed |
Tip: For same-day production runs, both dates can be the same.
Step 3: Enter Batch Information
| Field | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Batches | How many batches were processed in this run | 5 |
Step 4: Enter Input Details
| Field | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Input Volume | Litres of raw material used | 1000 |
| Input Cost | Total cost of the raw material input | 5000.00 |
Step 5: Enter Output Details
| Field | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Output Volume | Litres of finished product produced | 920 |
| Output Cost | Total cost of the production process (labour, energy, etc.) | 2500.00 |
Step 6: Review Auto-Calculated Fields
The system automatically calculates:
- Yield % = (Output Volume ÷ Input Volume) × 100
- Example: (920 ÷ 1000) × 100 = 92.0%
- Cost Per Litre = Output Cost ÷ Output Volume
- Example: 2500.00 ÷ 920 = 2.72 per litre
Step 7: Set the Status
Select the current status of the production run from the dropdown:
| Status | Color | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
| Planned | Blue | The run is scheduled but has not started yet |
| In Progress | Yellow | The run is currently underway |
| Completed | Green | The run has finished successfully |
| Delayed | Red | The run has been delayed or encountered issues |
Step 8: Add Notes (Optional)
- Enter any relevant notes such as quality observations, equipment issues, or operator comments.
Step 9: Save the Production Run
- Click the Save button.
- The production run is recorded and appears in the production list.
Editing a Production Run
- Navigate to Production in the sidebar.
- Locate the production run you want to edit using search or date filters.
- Click the Edit icon (pencil) in the Actions column.
- Modify the fields as needed:
- Updating Input Volume or Output Volume will recalculate Yield %.
- Updating Output Cost will recalculate Cost Per Litre.
- Changing the Status updates the run's lifecycle stage.
- Click Save to apply changes.
Tip: It is common to update the status as a production run progresses (e.g., from Planned → In Progress → Completed).
Deleting a Production Run
- Navigate to Production in the sidebar.
- Locate the production run you want to delete.
- Click the Delete icon (trash can) in the Actions column.
- A ConfirmDialog will appear.
- Click Confirm to proceed.
Note: Deleting a production run removes it from the production list. This action is logged in the audit log for accountability.
Understanding BOM (Bill of Materials)
The Bill of Materials (BOM) in the LGO ERP system is tracked at the production run level. Each production run records:
- The input (raw material type and volume)
- The output (finished product and volume)
- The yield (efficiency of the conversion)
Unlike a formal BOM component list, the system tracks the input-to-output relationship per production run. This allows you to:
- Compare actual input/output across different runs
- Identify efficiency variations by product or time period
- Calculate true production costs based on actual raw material usage
Note: If your organization requires a formal, itemized BOM (listing all ingredients, additives, and packaging per product), this can be tracked through the notes field or managed outside the system.
Understanding Yield %
Yield % measures production efficiency — what percentage of input raw material is converted into usable output.
Calculation
Yield % = (Output Volume ÷ Input Volume) × 100
Interpreting Yield
| Yield % | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| 95%+ | Excellent — minimal waste |
| 90–95% | Good — within normal range |
| 85–90% | Acceptable — review for possible optimization |
| Below 85% | Low — investigate causes (equipment issues, raw material quality, process problems) |
Target Yield by Product
Target yield varies by product type. A general guideline:
- Refined palm oil: 90–95%
- Blended oils: 88–93%
- Specialty products: Varies — consult your production manager
Tip: Track yield % over time. A declining trend may indicate equipment degradation, raw material quality changes, or process issues.
Cost Per Litre Analysis
Cost Per Litre tells you how much it costs to produce one litre of finished product.
Calculation
Cost Per Litre = Output Cost ÷ Output Volume
Using Cost Per Litre
- Compare across runs — Track how cost per litre changes over time for the same product. An increasing trend may signal rising raw material costs or declining efficiency.
- Compare across products — Identify which products are most and least expensive to produce.
- Set selling prices — Use cost per litre as a baseline for pricing decisions. Ensure selling price covers production cost plus margin.
- Budget forecasting — Multiply expected output by cost per litre to estimate future production costs.
Status Workflow
Production runs follow a standard lifecycle:
Planned → In Progress → Completed
↘ Delayed
- Planned (Blue) — The run is scheduled. All parameters (product, volume, dates) are set, but production has not begun.
- In Progress (Yellow) — Production is actively underway. This is the working state.
- Completed (Green) — Production finished successfully. Final output and cost figures are recorded.
- Delayed (Red) — The run encountered issues and is behind schedule. Use notes to document the reason for the delay.
Best Practice: Update the status in real time as production progresses. This keeps the Dashboard and reports accurate.
Exporting Production Data
- Navigate to Production in the sidebar.
- Optionally apply date filters to narrow the data to a specific period.
- Click the Export CSV button.
- A CSV file will be downloaded containing all visible production records, including columns for product name, dates, batches, input/output volumes, yield %, status, cost, and cost per litre.
Using Production Data for Costing
Production data is a critical input for financial analysis:
- Total Production Cost: Sum of output costs across all completed runs in a period.
- Average Cost Per Litre: Average of cost per litre across runs — use for pricing and margin analysis.
- Yield Efficiency: Average yield % across runs — tracks process improvement or degradation.
- Product Costing: Match production costs to sales revenue (via the Sales module) to calculate true product profitability.
- Budget vs. Actual: Compare planned production costs to actual costs to identify variances.
Keyboard Shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Cmd + N / Ctrl + N | Create a new production run (when on the Production page) |
| Escape | Close the new production run form or any open modal |
Role Access Summary
| Role | View Production | Create/Edit/Delete | Export Data |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admin | Full access | Full access | Full access |
| Production | Full access | Full access | Full access |
| Sales | No access | No access | No access |
| Accountant | No access | No access | No access |
Best Practices
- Update status in real time — Change the status as production moves through each stage so the Dashboard and reports stay accurate.
- Record accurate input and output volumes — Yield % and cost per litre depend on accurate volume measurements.
- Add notes for every run — Document any unusual circumstances, equipment issues, or quality observations.
- Review yield trends — Compare yield % across runs for the same product. Investigate any significant drops.
- Complete runs promptly — Don't leave "In Progress" runs open longer than necessary. Update to Completed or Delayed as soon as the run concludes.
- Use date filters for reporting — When reviewing monthly or quarterly performance, use the date filters to focus on the relevant period.
Troubleshooting
- Yield % showing as 0 or 1000%: Ensure both Input Volume and Output Volume are entered correctly. Yield is calculated as (Output ÷ Input) × 100.
- Cost Per Litre showing as NaN: Ensure Output Cost and Output Volume are both greater than zero.
- Cannot create a new run: Verify you have the Admin or Production role. Ensure all required fields are filled in.
- Production data not appearing on Dashboard: Refresh your browser (Cmd+R / Ctrl+R). The Dashboard reflects data as of the last page load.
- Cannot delete a run: Confirm your role has deletion permissions. Check the ConfirmDialog to verify your intent.