Design Specification ‐ WMS User Functions, Use Cases, and Dialog Specifications - lucasgsantos/BIM GitHub Wiki
Warehouse Management System (WMS) Module - Detailed UI & Functional Specification
1. User Roles & Functions
Role | Primary Functions | Secondary Functions |
---|---|---|
Warehouse Associate | - Material receiving - Picking/putaway - Cycle counting | - Basic inventory queries - Damage reporting |
Warehouse Supervisor | - Work order management - Exception handling - Resource allocation | - Productivity monitoring - Shift reporting |
Inventory Controller | - Stock adjustments - Location management - Replenishment planning | - Expiry date management - Slow-moving analysis |
QA Specialist | - Hold/release decisions - Quarantine management - Compliance audits | - Temperature monitoring - Deviation reporting |
System Administrator | - User management - System configuration - Integration setup | - Performance tuning - Backup management |
2. Core Use Cases
2.1. Material Receiving Workflow
UC-WMS-001: Receive Purchase Order
- Scan PO barcode at receiving dock
- System auto-populates expected items
- Associate scans each material/lot
- System validates against PO (quantity, item, expiry)
- Assign storage location (auto-suggested or manual)
UC-WMS-002: Handle Discrepancies
- Flag short/over shipment
- Capture damage photos
- Select disposition (return, accept with variance)
- Route for supervisor approval
2.2. Inventory Management
UC-WMS-003: Perform Cycle Count
- Select counting method (location-based, item-based)
- Scan location barcode
- Enter counted quantity
- System highlights variances > tolerance
- Submit for reconciliation
UC-WMS-004: Manage Quarantine
- QA places lot on hold
- System restricts transactions
- Initiate investigation
- Record disposition (release, reject, rework)
- Update ERP with final status
2.3. Order Fulfillment
UC-WMS-005: Wave Picking
- System groups orders by zone
- Generate optimized pick path
- Display pick sequence on RF gun
- Confirm each pick via scan
- Validate complete kit before staging
UC-WMS-006: Handle Substitutions
- System alerts when stock unavailable
- Present approved alternates
- Supervisor approves substitution
- Update ERP with replacement
- Print revised pick ticket
3. Detailed Dialog Specifications
3.1. Receiving Dashboard
Layout Components:
-
Pending Receipts Panel
- Filter by: PO date, supplier, item class
- Sortable columns: PO#, expected date, status
- Action buttons: Start Receiving, Print Summary
-
Active Receiving Session
- PO header info (supplier, expected delivery date)
- Item grid with columns: Item ID, Description, Expected Qty, Received Qty, Variance
- Action buttons:
- Add Exception
- Complete Receipt
- Suspend Session
Functionality:
- Auto-highlight rows where |variance| > 5%
- Right-click menu on items: View PO details, View item history
- Real-time validation against item master (block unregistered items)
3.2. Putaway Management Dialog
UI Elements:
- Location Map (interactive warehouse diagram)
- Suggested Locations Panel (sorted by: proximity, FIFO sequence)
- Material Details Card (item, lot, expiry, handling requirements)
Buttons:
- Confirm Putaway (with e-signature)
- Override Suggestion
- Flag Hazardous Storage Requirement
- View Handling Instructions (PDF popup)
Business Rules:
- Enforce weight limits for racking
- Prevent mixed lots in same bin
- Require supervisor override for bulk storage areas
3.3. Picking Console
Desktop Version:
-
Wave Management Section
- Create new wave (order selection criteria)
- Assign pickers
- Print batch labels
-
Picker Performance Metrics
- Units/hour
- Accuracy rate
- Active picker status
Mobile (RF Gun) Version:
-
Login Screen
- User ID field
- Password/PIN entry
- Language selector
-
Pick Screen Flow
- Current pick item (large font)
- Location graphic (aisle-bin-level)
- Quantity to pick
- Scan confirmation field
- Navigation shortcut buttons:
- Skip (with reason code)
- Short Pick
- Call Supervisor
3.4. Inventory Adjustment Dialog
Required Fields:
- Item/Lot (auto-complete search)
- Location (defaults to current)
- Adjustment Quantity (+/-)
- Reason Code (dropdown: damage, miscount, etc.)
- Reference Document (scan/upload)
Approval Workflow:
- Associate submits adjustment
- System routes based on value:
- <$500: Auto-approve
- $500-$5000: Supervisor approval
-
$5000: Financial controller review
- Email notifications at each step
4. Advanced Functionality
4.1. Cold Chain Management
Special Dialogs:
- Temperature Excursion Log
- Record min/max observed
- Attach sensor data logs
- Causal analysis form
- Disposition workflow
Visual Indicators:
- Color-coded storage locations (blue = refrigerated)
- Alert banners when zone temp out of range
- Expiry date acceleration calculator
4.2. Integration Interfaces
ERP Sync Monitor:
- Last successful sync timestamp
- Pending transactions counter
- Manual sync trigger
- Error log viewer
AGV Control Panel:
- Task queue visualization
- Emergency stop button
- Charge level monitoring
- Path congestion heatmap
5. Exception Handling
Exception Type | System Response | Required Actions |
---|---|---|
Duplicate Scanning | Immediate popup with previous scan details | Confirm override or cancel |
Expired Material Pick | Hard block with QA override option | Quarantine existing stock |
Cross-Contamination Risk | Warning when scanning incompatible items | Supervisor PIN required |
System-Directed Error | Alternate location suggestion | Confirm or enter reason for rejection |
6. Reporting Module
Standard Reports:
-
Inventory Accuracy Report
- By location type
- By item category
- Variance trends
-
Productivity Analysis
- Picks/hour by operator
- Travel distance optimization
- Peak period identification
Export Options:
- PDF (for audits)
- CSV (for ERP integration)
- Power BI connector
7. Compliance Features
Electronic Signature Workflow:
- Supervisor receives pending approval task
- Views complete transaction history
- Enters authentication credentials
- System records:
- Timestamp
- IP address
- Reason code (if rejection)
Audit Trail Viewer:
- Filter by: date range, user, transaction type
- Export to regulatory formats (FDA 21 CFR Part 11 compliant)
- Anomaly detection (highlight unusual patterns)
8. Prototype Wireframes
Desktop - Receiving View:
[Header: PO#12345 | Supplier: ABC Pharma | Expected: 05/15/2024]
-----------------------------------------------------------
| Item ID | Desc. | Expiry | Expected | Received | Status |
|-----------|-------------|-----------|----------|----------|-----------|
| MAT-1001 | Aspirin | 06/2025 | 100 | [100] | ✔ Complete|
| MAT-1002 | Paracetamol | 05/2024 | 50 | [48 ] | ❗ Variance|
-----------------------------------------------------------
[Action Bar: Complete Receipt (disabled) | Add Exception | View PO]
Mobile - Picking View:
▶ PICK: 24 units of MAT-1001
Location: Aisle 3-Bin B2-Level 1
[ ] Scan Barcode
[ ] Enter Manually
[Navigation: ← Previous │ Next → ]
[Short Pick] [Problem] [Help]
This specification provides complete guidance for implementing a pharmaceutical-grade WMS module with robust functionality while maintaining regulatory compliance. The design emphasizes error-proofing through system-directed workflows and comprehensive exception handling.