Why Every Business Needs a Pick List Report for Accuracy & Efficiency

A logistic picking list report (often simply called a picking list or pick list) is a vital document in warehouse and logistics operations. It’s an internal-use tool that instructs warehouse personnel on exactly what items, and in what quantities, to retrieve from inventory to fulfill a customer’s order or a work instruction.

This report acts as a roadmap for the order picking process, ensuring accuracy and efficiency in order fulfilment.

Key Components of a Picking List Report

A well-designed picking list contains specific information that guides the picker through the warehouse and ensures the correct items are selected:

• Header/Order Information:
  
  
  • Picking List Number: A unique ID for the document itself.
  • Order Number: The reference number for the customer’s order.
  • Customer Details: Customer/Company name and shipping address (important for the subsequent packing stage).
  • Order Date/Time & Due Date: Critical for prioritizing order fulfillment.
    
    
    
• Item Details:
  
  
  • Product ID/SKU: The unique stock-keeping unit or alphanumeric code for the product.
  • Product Name/Description: Clear text to help verify the item (may include details like size, color, or style).
  • Quantity to Pick: The exact number of units required for the order.
  • Unit of Measure: (e.g., each, case, roll) if the product is stored or picked in different units.
    
    
    
• Location Information:
  
  
  • Warehouse Location: The precise storage spot (e.g., aisle, shelf, bin number, zone) to minimize search time and optimize the picking route.
    
    
    
• Logistics & Accountability:
  
  
  • Suggested Picking Route/Sequence: Items are often listed in an order that follows the most efficient path through the warehouse.
  • Special Instructions: Notes for fragile, refrigerated, or high-value items, or specific handling precautions.
  • Accountability Fields: Spaces for the Picker’s Name/ID, Pick Date/Time, and a “Quantity Picked” field or confirmation checkbox to verify the action, which is essential for audit and quality control.
    
    

Purpose and Benefits

The main goal of a picking list report is to streamline the order fulfillment process. Its benefits include:

• Increased Accuracy: By providing precise quantities and locations, it significantly reduces the chance of picking the wrong item or quantity, minimizing costly returns and improving customer satisfaction.
• Improved Efficiency: By organizing items by location or a pre-determined route, it minimizes the travel time for the picker, which is often the largest component of total picking time.
• Better Traceability: It provides a detailed record of when and by whom items were picked, which is vital for inventory auditing and quickly addressing any fulfillment issues.
• Inventory Management: When integrated with a Warehouse Management System (WMS), the picking process updates inventory levels in real time, maintaining accurate stock counts.

Types of Picking Lists

The format and organization of the list often depend on the picking strategy employed:

Export to Sheets

Picking lists can be physical (printed paper) or digital (displayed on an RF scanner, tablet, or mobile device). Digital lists often leverage technology like barcode scanning for real-time verification and greater accuracy.