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Work in Progress (WIP) Calculator

See how much cash is sitting in your bays right now — unbilled and uncollected.

Total WIP Value

$0

WIP + Parts on Order

$0

Daily Cash Tied Up

$0

If Closed 1 Day Faster

$0

Why WIP Matters to Cash Flow

Work in progress represents revenue you've earned but haven't collected. High WIP means parts are bought, labor is spent, but no cash has come in. This is the #1 hidden cash flow killer in shops.

WIP Benchmarks

  • Under 1.5 days avg close: Excellent. Tight workflow, fast parts sourcing, strong communication.
  • 1.5–2.5 days: Good. Most well-run shops operate here.
  • 2.5–4 days: Concerning. WIP is tying up significant cash. Look for bottlenecks.
  • Above 4 days: Critical. Parts delays, waiting on approvals, or workflow breakdowns.

How to Reduce WIP

  • Morning dispatch: Assign work before techs arrive. Zero wait time at the start of the day.
  • Parts availability: Stock fast-moving parts. Partner with reliable suppliers for same-day delivery.
  • Customer authorization: Get approvals before lunch. Waiting on a "call back" kills throughput.
  • Close ROs daily: Make it a rule — if the car is done, the RO closes today. No exceptions.

Benchmarks referenced from leading automotive coaching groups including ATI, Elite Worldwide, Transformers Institute, Shop Fix Academy, 180BIZ, DRIVE, and the Institute for Automotive Business Excellence.

Monitor open ROs and WIP in real time

PULSE connects to your shop management system and shows live WIP so nothing slips through the cracks.

See PULSE in Action →