NetSuite Work Order Preferences for...

NetSuite uses two Manufacturing Preferences to control when work orders are created for MPS and MRP items and what initial status they receive. Both preferences default to Do Not Generate. Before configuring them, enable Assembly Items, Work Orders, and Material Requirements Planning. After work orders are created, refresh the Planning Repository and rerun the supply plan to show them in the Planning Workbench.

Where are the MPS and MRP work order preferences?

Go to Setup > Manufacturing > Manufacturing Preferences. Under Production Planning, Scheduling and Allocation, set these preferences:

Preference	Applies to
Create Work Orders for MPS Items	MPS items
Create Work Orders for MRP Items	MRP items

These preferences are available when the following features are enabled:

Assembly Items
Work Orders
Material Requirements Planning

Both preferences default to Do Not Generate. Existing accounts continue using the Mass Create Work Orders workflow after an upgrade unless an administrator changes these preferences.

Which work order creation option should you select?

The available options determine whether planning creates only planned work orders, creates work orders after planning, or creates them when eligible planned orders are released.

Option	Result
Do Not Generate	Planning creates planned work orders. Use Mass Create Work Orders to create the work orders.
Generate from Planned Order Release	This works only with Release Selected Orders or Release All Orders in the Planning Workbench. Releasing an eligible planned work order creates a work order in Released status, with the Firmed box checked.
Generate in Planned Firm Status	After planning, NetSuite creates a work order in Pending Approval status with the Firmed box checked.
Generate in Planned Open Status	After planning, NetSuite creates a work order in Pending Approval status with the Firmed box cleared.
Generate in Released Status	After planning, NetSuite creates a work order in Pending Build status with the Firmed box checked.

The release-based option depends on the Planning Workbench release actions. It does not create work orders merely from planning; an eligible planned work order must be released through Release Selected Orders or Release All Orders.

What happens after NetSuite creates work orders?

After NetSuite creates the work orders, complete a Planning Repository Refresh and rerun the supply plan. The created work orders then appear in the Planning Workbench.

These preferences apply to automatic work order creation for MPS and MRP items. They do not change the existing workflows used to implement planned purchase orders and planned transfer orders. For time-phased items, use the separate Create Work Orders for Time-Phased Items preference.

For role configuration related to work instructions, see Creating and Customizing Roles for Work Instructions in NetSuite.

For numbering configuration, see NetSuite Auto-Generated Numbering Setup Guide.

Who This Affects

Administrators who configure Manufacturing Preferences
Planners using MPS or MRP item planning
Planners who use Release Selected Orders or Release All Orders in the Planning Workbench
Teams that use Mass Create Work Orders under the default preference setting

Key Takeaways

Configure Create Work Orders for MPS Items and Create Work Orders for MRP Items at Setup > Manufacturing > Manufacturing Preferences.
Both preferences default to Do Not Generate, which leaves work order creation to Mass Create Work Orders.
The selected option controls when NetSuite creates work orders, their initial status, and whether the Firmed box is checked or cleared.
Generate from Planned Order Release works only through the specified Planning Workbench release actions.
Refresh the Planning Repository and rerun the supply plan before the created work orders appear in the Planning Workbench.

Frequently Asked Questions (4)

Where do I set the Create Work Orders for MPS Items and Create Work Orders for MRP Items preferences in NetSuite?

Go to Setup > Manufacturing > Manufacturing Preferences and look under Production Planning, Scheduling and Allocation to set the Create Work Orders for MPS Items and Create Work Orders for MRP Items preferences.

Are there prerequisites or feature flags I must enable before configuring the MPS/MRP work order preferences?

Yes. The Assembly Items, Work Orders, and Material Requirements Planning features must be enabled for those preferences to be available. Both preferences default to Do Not Generate unless an administrator changes them.

How does the Generate from Planned Order Release option interact with the Planning Workbench release actions?

Generate from Planned Order Release only works when you use Release Selected Orders or Release All Orders in the Planning Workbench. Releasing an eligible planned work order through those actions creates a work order in Released status with the Firmed box checked; it does not create work orders just from planning.

After NetSuite creates work orders automatically, what must I do for them to appear in the Planning Workbench?

You must complete a Planning Repository Refresh and rerun the supply plan; after those steps the created work orders appear in the Planning Workbench.

NetSuite Work Order Preferences for MPS and MRP