Field Notes
What belongs in an inventory count exception log
An exception log that only says “bay 12 recount” helps nobody at 02:00 or two weeks later when auditors sample.
Minimum fields we insist on
- Time raised and time closed
- Location code and SKU or carton ID
- Why it was raised (variance, damaged seal, cut-off breach, unidentified goods)
- Who counted first and who recounted
- Final quantity recorded in the locked listing
Photograph sparingly, caption always
Photos of damaged cartons help; unlabelled photo dumps do not. Caption with location and time in the same log row.
Close or escalate before lock
Open exceptions at listing lock become finance’s problem with worse evidence. Our observers will not “park” unresolved high-value variances to keep the schedule pretty.
Keep the log independent of chat apps
Exportable sheets or paper forms with sequential numbers beat disappearing message threads. We bring a structured log to every full coordination engagement.