Sub-jobs & dependencies¶
Sub-jobs are the individual units of work within a work order. Dependencies let you define which sub-jobs must complete before others can begin.
Managing sub-jobs¶
Reordering¶
Drag sub-jobs to reorder them, or use the Reorder action to set a specific sequence. The order determines the default execution sequence.
Optional sub-jobs¶
Mark sub-jobs as optional when they're nice-to-have but not required for work order completion. Optional sub-jobs are excluded from the "all required" completion rule.
Blocking¶
When a sub-job has unresolved dependencies (predecessor sub-jobs not yet complete), it is automatically blocked. Blocked sub-jobs:
- Show a blocked indicator on the dispatcher board
- Cannot be started by technicians
- Are automatically unblocked when all predecessors complete
Assigning sub-jobs to technicians¶
Field sub-jobs — the ones that need someone on site — are dispatched automatically when auto-assignment is turned on for your company. As soon as you add a field sub-job, it's matched to the best available technician based on skills, availability, and location, and that technician's name shows on the sub-job.
Office and other no-travel sub-jobs (paperwork, permits, procurement, remote work) aren't sent to a field technician. They stay Unassigned so a manager can hand them off however your team prefers.
Where the assignee shows
Each field sub-job shows the assigned technician, or Unassigned if no one has been matched yet. Auto-assignment needs to be enabled for your company for sub-jobs to dispatch on their own.
Completing the work order¶
By default, you mark a work order Completed yourself once the work is done. Your account administrator can also turn on auto-complete, so a work order moves to Completed on its own as soon as its required sub-jobs are finished. Optional sub-jobs never hold up completion.
You'll find the Auto-complete work orders option under Company Settings → General Settings → Features & Preferences. It's off by default.
Re-opening a completed work order¶
Finished a work order too soon, or need to add another sub-job? Open it and choose Re-open. The work order moves back to In-Progress so you can add or adjust sub-jobs, then complete it again when you're ready.
Two guardrails keep your billing clean:
- You can't re-open a work order once an invoice has been generated for it.
- While a work order is re-opened, you can't generate its invoice. Finish the work and complete (or close) the work order again first.
Dependency types¶
| Type | Behavior |
|---|---|
| Finish-to-Start | Task B cannot start until Task A finishes |
Planning tip
Set up dependencies while the work order is in Draft status. You can still add dependencies after activation, but blocked sub-jobs will be immediately flagged.
Example: HVAC installation¶
| Order | Sub-Job | Depends On | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Site inspection | — | — |
| 2 | Equipment procurement | Site inspection | Finish-to-Start |
| 3 | Duct installation | Equipment procurement | Finish-to-Start |
| 4 | Electrical hookup | Duct installation | Finish-to-Start |
| 5 | System testing | Electrical hookup | Finish-to-Start |
| 6 | Customer walkthrough | System testing | Finish-to-Start |
When the site inspection completes, equipment procurement is automatically unblocked. Each subsequent phase waits for its predecessor.