Franchise Style Scheduling Wall
Here's one that I like and used when I managed a "fast" franchise...
Your work orders are attached to the wall using clear job ticket holders like these...
http://www.staples.com/Staples-Job-Ticket-Holders-9-x-12/product_433441
Your work order should contain all the necessary job info on the front page - client's name, due date, quantity, substrate, vinyl colors, etc.
You can attach the job ticket to the wall with nails or screws, but I would recommend using clips like the ones available here...
http://www.allproducts.com/metal/ucando/25-magnetic_items.html
A couple of rules to follow...
The board should be visible by (nearly) everyone in the shop. At a quick glance, probably when you're on the phone with a client who wants to know how soon they can have it, you can see how busy you are and whether you can meet the client's deadline.
Nothing gets put on the board unless there is an invoice associated with the project.
Jobs are scheduled by their importance (due date) and/or the amount of time required to complete the job. If it's a quick vinyl job that should take about an hour, you can schedule it in the next available time slot under the due date. If it's a more complex project that may take several days, it gets placed on the board allowing for enough production time to meet the clients deadline.
The most important part of this (or any) system is to insure you have accurate information on your work order and you must use and maintain it, at least, daily.
The benefit if this type of system is, at a quick glance, you can see how much work you have in-house; you can review multiple work orders and schedule production to save time by designing, cutting vinyl and/or substrates for multiple jobs with the same materials/colors at the same time. It also gives you the opportunity to check inventory and make sure you have enough product in stock to complete the job.
Checkers
