What does work in progress mean? From accounting concept to strategic tool
Within many project-driven organisations, there is one concept that regularly appears in reports, yet is rarely truly used in day-to-day management: work in progress.
It is often seen as something for the finance department. Something required for the balance sheet or annual accounts, but with little impact on operations. In practice, however, this is not the case.
Having a clear view of ongoing work gives you direct control over:
✅ project progress
✅ capacity utilisation
✅ and future deployment
In this article, we explain what it means, how to calculate it, and, most importantly, how to use it practically within project management and planning.
Thijs - 14 april 2026 - 7 min
Written by:
Thijs
With a sharp eye for language and technology, Thijs writes about everything related to software, automation, and productivity. He sees it as an art to make complex developments understandable and to truly engage readers. Thanks to his many years of experience in content creation, he knows exactly how to strike the right chord with diverse audiences.
