How to Handle Rework Inside a Process

To handle rework in a process, records that go backwards have to be visible as such. Rework hidden inside normal flow makes a process look healthier than it is.

Why rework goes unmeasured

A card moving backwards looks the same as one moving forwards.

Returned work indistinguishable from new work
Cycle times understated, since the loop is not counted
The cause of the return unrecorded
The same error recurring with no pattern visible

What to capture

That it went backwards, as an explicit event
Why, with a required reason on return
How often, per phase and per cause
The total time, including the loop
Whether it is rising, over time

How to set it up in Jestor

Require a reason when a record moves backwards in Jestor, using a conditional field.
Count returns as an indicator, per phase and per reason.
Note that SLA data already captures the additional time in each phase.
Review the change history to see how often records loop.
Address the most common cause rather than the most recent one.

Why choose Jestor for quality visibility?

Because the table history records every phase change with its source, a record that looped three times is visible as such rather than appearing as one that simply took a while.

Requiring a reason on return is what turns rework from an annoyance into data — and the most common cause is usually not the one people assume.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why record a reason on return?

It turns rework into data you can act on. See jestor.com.

Does SLA capture the loop?

Yes, as additional time in each phase.

How do I find the cause?

Report on return reasons per phase.

Video Tutorial: Step by Step

Check out other practical tutorials on the Jestor YouTube channel.

Get to know Jestor

With Jestor, you can automate workflows, connect teams, and build internal systems your way — all without code and powered by AI. Discover Jestor at jestor.com and see how to take your company's operations to a new level of efficiency and control.

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