Definition
In construction procurement, while a Purchase Order (PO) is used to buy physical materials (like cement), a Work Order (WO) is the official contractual document issued to a subcontractor for labor or services (like hiring a plumbing contractor to lay pipes). It clearly defines the scope of work, the finalized itemized unit rates, the safety terms, retention percentages, and the strict deadlines they must adhere to.
Practical Example
After floating a tender for electrical works, the developer chooses "Bright Sparks Ltd." The developer issues a massive ₹2 Crore Work Order. It states that Bright Sparks will be paid ₹500 for every light point they install (Unit Rate). It also stipulates that 5% of their monthly RA Bills will be withheld as Retention Money until the Defect Liability Period is over.
Application in Superwise
Superwise’s Contracting module handles the terrifying complexity of Work Orders. When the planner generates a digital WO, they lock the unit rates and the BOQ quantity limits directly from the approved estimate. When the subcontractor later subits their monthly RA Bill via the portal, Superwise’s accounting engine references the exact locked rates in the WO, making over-invoicing mathematically impossible.
Related Feature
Learn how Superwise handles this in our dedicated feature:
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