---
alias: modules-routing-and-dispatching-reasons-tutorial-overview
description: "Learn what Reasons are, review the supported reason types, and understand why they matter in manufacturing operations."
---

# Overview

A **Reason** defines a code or category for a particular event or association, specifically for losses, bonuses, off-flow, and hold operations that may happen at a **Step**.

Critical Manufacturing MES supports the following reason types:

- **Bonus** adds quantity to a **Material** during or after processing. For more information, see [[user-guide-record-material-loss-bonus]].
- **Defect** assigns defects to a specific **Material**. For more information, see [[user-guide-material-defects-index]].
- **Hold** sets a **Material** on hold at a specific **Step**. For more information, see [[user-guide-hold-material]].
- **Loss** removes or terminates quantity from a **Material** during or after processing. For more information, see [[user-guide-record-material-loss-bonus]]. The Electronic Failure Catalogue (EFC) applies to **Loss Reasons**.
- **Off-Flow** sends a **Material** to an off-flow or rework **Flow**. For more information, see [[user-guide-rework-material]].
- **Pause** pauses a **Checklist** instance during execution. For more information, see [[user-guide-pause-checklist-instance]].

## Why Reasons Matter in Manufacturing

**Reasons** support manufacturing operations in several ways:

### Quality Control and Root Cause Analysis

- Detect recurring quality issues and prioritize root cause analysis.
- Improve process reliability by tracking why losses, holds, or off-flow situations occur.
- Support systematic investigation of defects and quality problems.

### Performance Monitoring

- Track yield loss during production.
- Measure total loss quantity.
- Help identify patterns and trends in manufacturing performance.

### Traceability and Compliance

- Provide end-to-end traceability of manufacturing events.
- Support audit-ready evidence for regulatory compliance.
- Document why specific actions were taken during production.

### Operational Efficiency

- Record **Hold Reasons** to understand production delays.
- Monitor rework and temporary **Off-Flow Reasons** to improve process **Flow**.

### Reporting and Analytics

- Enable detailed reporting on loss classifications.
- Support data-driven decision-making.
- Provide insight for continuous improvement initiatives.

Next page: [Configuration](configuration.md).