# What are the work order statuses and how do they flow?

> Every work order in WorkSkedge moves through a fixed lifecycle: Created → Ready → Draft Schedule → Assigned → Active → Complete, with On Hold and Pending Approval as side states. Each status controls what you can do next — scheduling only unlocks at Ready, and Complete is terminal.

- Product: WorkSkedge
- Section: Work Orders
- Canonical: https://workskedge.com/help/work-orders/work-order-statuses-and-lifecycle
- Updated: 2026-08-29T21:34:24.305643+00:00
- Source: FEATURES.md — Work Order Management System
- Keywords: work order status, lifecycle, created, ready, assigned, active, on hold, complete, pending approval, reschedule

## The status flow at a glance

```
Created → Ready → Draft Schedule → Assigned → Active → Complete
```

With two side states: **On Hold** (paused work) and **Pending Approval** (completion report submitted, awaiting manager sign-off).

## What each status means

**Created** — the work order is a draft. You're defining the scope of work, timeline, resource requirements, and materials. It is not yet ready for scheduling.

**Ready** — the definition is complete and the work order can be scheduled. Moving from Created to Ready is treated as the "first submission".

**Draft Schedule** — a schedule exists but has not been published. Field workers cannot see it yet.

**Assigned** — the schedule is published and the work order appears in field workers' "My Schedule". Version history tracking begins here: every edit from this point on creates a version snapshot.

**Active** — on-site work is in progress. A work order becomes Active when a daily progress report is submitted, or automatically when the start date arrives.

**Pending Approval** — a completion report has been submitted and is waiting for a manager to approve or reject it. Approving moves it to Complete; rejecting sends it back to Active for more work.

**Complete** — the terminal status. The work is verified complete and no further status changes are allowed.

**On Hold** — work is paused. This is only allowed from Assigned or Active, and WorkSkedge requires a reason, which is saved as a scheduler note. All assignments and schedules for the work order are deleted while it is on hold; the scheduler re-assigns it to resume.

## Allowed transitions

- Created → Ready (definition complete)
- Ready → Draft Schedule → Assigned (the scheduling flow)
- Assigned → Active (automatic, on first daily report or start date)
- Assigned or Active → Pending Approval (completion report submitted)
- Pending Approval → Complete (manager approval) or → Active (rejected)
- Assigned or Active → Ready (reschedule — pull it back for re-planning)
- Assigned or Active → On Hold (pause) and On Hold → Assigned or Active (resume)
- Complete is terminal — nothing leaves Complete

## Screenshots

- WorkSkedge Work Orders list showing status badges such as Active, Complete and Draft Schedule: https://workskedge.com/api/public/help-image/app/wo-list.webp

## FAQ

### Why can't I schedule my work order?

Scheduling unlocks at the Ready status. If the work order is still in Created, finish its definition (timeline, resources, scope) and set it to Ready first.

### What happens when I put a work order On Hold?

WorkSkedge asks for a mandatory reason, saves it as a scheduler note, and deletes the work order's assignments and schedules. To resume, the scheduler re-assigns the work order.

### Can I reopen a completed work order?

No. Complete is a terminal status — no further status changes are allowed. If more work is needed while the completion report is still pending, reject it in Pending Approval to send it back to Active.

### When does a work order become Active?

Automatically — either when the assigned crew submits their first daily progress report, or when the scheduled start date arrives.