Compare the operating models
In this fictional example, Urgent U1 leaves immediately. Scheduled P1/P2 depart at 16:00 and share aisle items. Holding U1 for the batch would miss its supplied promise; picking P1/P2 together can share a route if staff can separate them for packing.
| Business requirement | Continuous per-order pick | Scheduled wave |
|---|---|---|
| Urgent U1 | Direct pick and pack | Delay is unsuitable |
| P1/P2 same departure | Repeated aisle visits | Shared pick route, distinct packing |
| Order identity | Pick/pack stays with one order | Wave lines retain order allocations |
Work through the chosen model
Wave W7 links P1/P2, departure cutoff and pick lines with item/bin/quantity. Packing allocations retain their original order IDs. Decide wave inclusion by the supplied departure and handling needs.
- Separate urgent and scheduled orders
- Pick directly or build the wave
- Sort and pack by original order
Waves can coordinate scheduled work but need staging space and reliable sort/pack allocations. Continuous picking responds faster but repeats handling routes. Neither choice resolves available stock.
U1 dispatches alone. If P1 needs two A and P2 needs three A, W7 picks five A then packs two/three into separate parcels. Five picked units do not become one merged customer order.
When the other model fits
P2’s promised departure moves earlier than the wave. Keep it in W7?
Show the worked answer
No. Reassign its picking path to preserve the supplied departure promise.