Which finished units share the affected batch?
A supplier tells the fictional Alder Paper Works about a cosmetic issue with notebook insert batch X.
The question
Material records link X to finished lots P and Q. Each lot contains distinct units. The quality owner decides what happens to the units and needs an accurate list.
| P | Q | R | |
|---|---|---|---|
| On hand | 80 | 70 | 80 |
| Shipped | 40 | 30 | 0 |
Each unit is in one location category at the time of the scan.
“Count the finished units with a verified link to X and explain what changes as the records arrive.”
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A strong answer, step by step
Open each step in turn. This is one strong answer, not the only one.
Step 1: What is the initial scope?
What would you do here? Open the move you’d make.
Count only the 150 units still on hand
Tempting, but it misses something. The 70 shipped units share the same verified material link.
Count linked units on hand and shipped
The strong move. The count includes all units from P and Q and records their locations.
Count every finished unit in all three lots
Tempting, but it misses something. The opening material record identifies only P and Q.
See how a strong candidate says it
“P and Q link 220 units to X. The first scan shows 150 on hand and 70 shipped.”
Why it works: The initial scope follows the verified material links. Shipment status tells the quality owner where the units are.
Step 2: What records does the quality owner need?
What would you do here? Open the move you’d make.
Send the supplier’s batch number and the total only
Tempting, but it misses something. That leaves out the finished units and their locations.
Send the linked unit IDs, location counts and record time
The strong move. The quality owner can see the scope, the latest known locations and the evidence used.
Mark each linked unit as confirmed defective
Tempting, but it misses something. The component link identifies units for review. It gives no unit-level check result.
See how a strong candidate says it
“I would give the quality owner the batch-to-unit records and the shipment split. I would mark R as outside the verified links so far and record when the inventory was checked.”
Why it works: The quality owner needs a list that can be updated and checked against later evidence.
Step 3: How does rework change the count?
A verified rework record shows that 20 distinct R units received leftover inserts from batch X. They are already within the 80 on-hand units of R.
What would you do here? Open the move you’d make.
Add all 80 units from R to the scope
Tempting, but it misses something. The record links only 20 R units to batch X.
Keep R out because the original material record omits it
Tempting, but it misses something. The verified rework record adds a link for 20 specific units.
Add only the 20 distinct reworked units
The strong move. Those units are already in the on-hand inventory. Count each one once.
See how a strong candidate says it
“The verified record adds 20 R units to the scope, giving 240 total, with 170 on hand and 70 shipped. The other 60 R units have no verified link.”
Why it works: The rework added a component link for existing units. It did not add new inventory.
Step 4: What changes after the second scan?
The shipment log shows that 15 of the 20 linked R units shipped after the first scan. No other linked units moved.
What would you do here? Open the move you’d make.
Move 15 linked units from on hand to shipped
The strong move. This updates both location counts and preserves the 240 linked units.
Increase scope by the 15 units in the shipment
Tempting, but it misses something. Those units were already in scope after the rework record.
Remove the shipment from scope and keep only on-hand units
Tempting, but it misses something. The material link still applies after a unit ships.
See how a strong candidate says it
“The same 240 units remain in scope. Now 155 are on hand and 85 have shipped. I would send the new locations and the scan times to the quality owner.”
Why it works: The latest shipment moves linked units from one location category to another.
The answer, in short
- Decision
- Give the quality owner a verified unit list and the latest location split.
- Because
- Material links establish the scope. Rework and shipment records can change different parts of the count.
- What would change it
- Another verified material link would change scope. Another shipment would change the split.
Common traps
- Check rework records for components used after the original run.
- Keep unit identity separate from location.
Check your answer
- I counted P and Q once.
- I gave the quality owner record times.
- I added only the linked R units.
- I reconciled the new locations to total scope.
Last reviewed Nov 11, 2026