Dynamics Community Forum Thread Details

Doubts about using Production Floor Execution (PFE) for batch production in D365FO

Hi everyone,

I’m working on a D365FO implementation for a batch production process and I have several doubts about using Production Floor Execution (PFE).

Scenario:

I have a production order for 100 kg of detergent.

The production consists of 5 phases (operations) during which I need to consume different materials.

In the formula, I listed 5 components without linking them to a specific phase.

Issues I’m facing:

In PFE, the 5 phases become 5 jobs.
- When I start the first job, I can register material consumption and the system initializes the components according to the BOM.
- But if I try to consume materials in a later phase, it doesn’t initialize them and I have to enter them manually. I don’t see the logic here, is it anything that can be setup to change this behaviour?

When I mark a job as completed, PFE asks for the quantity to declare as finished.
- Why should I enter 100 kg at the first phase if the finished product will only exist at the end?
- In reality, in the first phase I only consume 80 kg of water.

After completing the first phase with 100 kg, the system posts two route journals:
- One for 100 kg (route card)
- One for the time spent (which is fine).
- But what does that route card for 100 kg represent?

Production order status:
- The order is released, I start the first job → it changes to “Started”, but for 0 quantity.
- When I try to report as finished at the last operation, the system says I can’t declare a quantity greater than what was started. That's because I didn't start the order from the D365FO production order batch.
- Also, after completing the last phase in PFE, the order remains in Started, not Reported as Finished. Why?

Finally:
- I added Work Instructions in the route operation line, but they don’t show up under the Instructions button in PFE. The button is greyed Why?
  
  Thank you very much for your support!

Categories:

Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management

Hi CU23100638-0,

1) Issue
- Batch production scenario with multiple phases (operations) executed via Production Floor Execution (PFE)
- Materials are defined in the formula but not linked to specific operations

Observed behavior in the provided screenshots:
- In PFE job list: multiple operations (10, 20, 30, etc.) are shown with Started = 0.00 and Completed = 0.00, confirming the order was not properly started before execution
- Materials are initialized only in the first job but not in subsequent phases
- System requires entering full quantity (e.g., 100 kg) already in the first phase (as shown in the PFE screen)
- Route transactions show multiple “Quantity = 100” postings per operation, even for early phases
- Production order remains “Started” and does not transition to “Reported as finished”
- Work instructions button in PFE (visible in screenshot on the right panel) is disabled / greyed out, even though notes exist on route

2) Reason
Material consumption behavior:
- Since formula lines are not linked to operations, the system:
- Initializes all materials at first job only
- Does not trigger them in later operations
- This explains why later phases require manual entry

Quantity behavior (confirmed in screenshots):
- In PFE, the entered quantity (e.g., 100 kg):
- Represents throughput quantity across operations, not finished goods
- The repeated “Quantity = 100” route journal entries per operation (visible in route transactions screenshot) indicate:
- Each operation processed the same batch quantity
- Not that physical production occurred at that stage

Production order status:
- The PFE job list clearly shows Started = 0.00, meaning:
- The production order was not started via standard “Start” process or auto-start configuration
- Because of that:
- RAF validation fails later (cannot report > started quantity)

PFE flow logic:
- Completing last job does not trigger:
- Report as finished (RAF) automatically
- This is separate by design

Work instructions:
- The screenshot shows:
- Route has a simple Note (“Important: Dry Vessel”)
- However, PFE only enables the Instructions button if:
- Proper “Production Floor Execution instructions framework” is used
- Notes alone do not activate instructions

3) Resolution
Material consumption setup:
- Link formula/BOM lines to operations:
- Assign Operation number on each line
- Define correct Flushing principle (Start / Finish / Manual)
- This ensures:
- Materials are initialized per phase correctly

Quantity handling clarification:
- The 100 kg entered in PFE:
- Represents process flow quantity, not actual output
- The repeated “Quantity” route postings are correct and expected
- For true staged output:
- Use co-products / by-products or intermediate items

Production order start (critical fix):
- Based on screenshot (Started = 0.00), configure:
- Production control parameters → enable Auto-start
- OR explicitly start the production order before PFE
- This ensures:
- Started quantity = required quantity
- RAF works correctly

Reporting as finished:
- Configure one of:
- Auto RAF at last operation
- Manual RAF step (standard behavior)
- PFE alone does not complete the order

- Work instructions fix:
- Do not rely on route “Notes”
- Configure properly:
- Production floor execution → Setup → Instructions
- Define instruction type
- Attach document (text/file/URL)
- Link instruction to route operation
- Ensure worker terminal/profile allows instructions
- Only then the Instructions button (greyed in screenshot) becomes active

Best practice adjustments for batch production:
- Always link materials to operations
- Use flushing principle aligned with process
- Accept PFE quantity = process throughput
- Start production order properly before execution
- Use proper instruction framework (not notes)
- If phase-level outputs matter → model intermediate products

Conclusion
- The behavior observed in screenshots is standard system design, not an error
- Key root causes:
- Missing operation linkage for materials
- Production order not started (Started = 0.00 clearly visible)
- Misinterpretation of quantity logic
- Incorrect use of route notes instead of PFE instructions framework
- After correcting setup, PFE will behave consistently for batch production scenarios

For a more detailed answer, please provide more information.

Rg,

Alexander

*Due to the complex and different possibilities of deploying Dynamics 365 I highly recommend not to setup the application without some expert/partner or support. (For more information contact me under anassl@inno-solutions.info or visit www.inno-solutions.de)

*The Information comes directly from the manufacturer or provider and are validated (not guaranteed) up to date of creation of the posting.

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