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Reviewed in POC · content version 2

Review Rework Loop

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Definition

A rework loop occurs when work must return to an earlier step because something was incomplete, incorrect, unclear, missing, or rejected.
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Plain-Language Explanation

Work moves forward, then gets sent back because something must be corrected, completed, clarified, or approved before it can continue.
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Why It Matters

Rework loops are one of the clearest signs of friction. They often reveal input problems, unclear requirements, missing validation, or decision criteria that appear too late.
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Example

A customer request is sent back to intake because the original form did not include the job location.
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Common Misconception

Not every return to an earlier step is harmful rework. Planned review and deliberate iteration can improve the result; a rework loop repeats avoidable work because a requirement, input, decision, or check failed.
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Remember It This Way

Forward, back, fix, repeat.
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Related Terms

* Input * Friction * Exception * Workaround
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Sources

* [ASQ, "DMAIC Process"](https://asq.org/quality-resources/dmaic) — documenting the current process, identifying critical inputs, and finding causes of poor performance. * [ASQ, "Standard Work"](https://asq.org/training/standard-work-swtqg) — process variation as a source of mistakes, inspection, and rework.
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Learn More

* [[friction|Friction]] * [[workaround|Workaround]] * [[manual-reconciliation|Manual Reconciliation]]
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