Usage Logging
How to record material consumption during construction work to keep stock accurate.
- Open the actions menu (⋯) on a material's row → click Log Usage
- Enter the quantity consumed and date of consumption
- Optionally add remarks (e.g., "Foundation pour Block A")
- Click Log Usage — stock decreases immediately. You can't log more than is in stock; the dialog tells you why and keeps what you typed
- Usage entries are immutable — they can't be edited or deleted after saving
- Each entry records who logged it and when, for audit purposes
Full Guide
When to Log Usage
Log usage when materials are consumed during construction work. Common scenarios:
- Concrete poured for a foundation or slab
- Steel rebar tied and placed for a structure
- Cement bags used for plastering or masonry
- Aggregate used for road base or fill
Log usage as close to the actual consumption as possible — daily logging is ideal for high-volume materials. Weekly or per-activity logging works for smaller quantities.
The Log Material Usage Dialog
| Field | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Yes | Pre-selected if opened from a material's actions menu |
| Quantity Consumed | Yes | How much was consumed (in the material's unit, minimum 0.001). It can't be more than the current stock — if it is, the dialog stays open and says how much is in stock |
| Date | No | When the material was consumed — defaults to today |
| Remarks | No | Context about the usage (location, activity, purpose, max 500 chars) |
Good Remarks Examples
Remarks help you track where and why materials were used:
- "Foundation pour — Block A, Level 1"
- "Roofing — Tower 2, Level 5"
- "Plastering — East wall, 3rd floor"
- "Backfill — North drainage trench"
- "Retaining wall — Section B, Phase 2"
When you review usage history later, these remarks make it clear what each entry was for.
What Happens After Logging
- Stock decreases by the logged quantity immediately
- The Consumed progress bar updates (if planned quantity is set)
- The entry appears in the material's Usage tab on the detail page
Immutable Records
Cannot Be Undone
Usage logs cannot be edited or deleted after saving. This is by design — usage records serve as an audit trail for:
- Quantity reconciliation against budgets
- Dispute resolution with contractors
- Progress verification by project managers
- Cost tracking and variance analysis
If you logged an incorrect quantity, use a Manual Stock Adjustment to correct the stock level and note the reason.
Viewing Usage History
To see all usage entries for a material:
Open the material detail page
Click the material row in the Inventory tab.
View usage entries
The detail page opens on the Usage tab. Each entry shows: date, quantity, remarks, and who logged it.
Related
- Stock Tracking — How usage affects stock calculations
- Stock Adjustments — Correcting mistakes with manual adjustments
- Material Detail Page — Navigating the detail view
Questions
What if I log more than is in stock?
It isn't saved. You can't log more than is in stock: the dialog stays open, says how much is in stock and keeps what you typed. If a delivery hasn't been logged yet, log it first.
Can I link usage to a WBS item or activity?
No. The usage form has no field for it. Write the activity or location in Remarks. It shows on the entry in the material's Usage tab.
Does the date I pick change when stock goes down?
No. Stock goes down as soon as you save, whatever date you pick. The date is what the entry shows on the material's Usage tab.