Creating Sequences
Sequences are used to group together operations that are executed sequentially when documenting instructions in process plans on how to produce, test, maintain or repair parts or assemblies. Sequences can be used to document operations that can take place at the same time as other operations, or operations that can take place instead of other operations.
To create a sequence:
1. From the navigation pane select the process plan for which you want to create a sequence.
2. Click the Uses tab.
3. Click Insert New Sequence 
.
.The Insert New Sequence window opens.
4. Enter a name for the sequence and select options from the Context Type, Context Name, and Type drop-down lists, then click Next.
5. Select options from the following fields:
◦ Category:
Use the drop-down list to select either Parallel (sequence occurs at the same time as other operations) or Alternate (sequence occurs instead of the operations).
◦ View:
Use the drop-down list to select either Design (selects the view for the sequence as “Design”), Manufacturing (selects the view for the sequence as “Manufacturing”) or others (if any).
◦ Unit:
Select the desired unit from the following list of units:
▪ each
▪ as needed
▪ kilograms
▪ meters
▪ liters
▪ square meters
▪ cubic meters
◦ Branching Operation:
Use the drop-down list to select the operation label from which the sequence branches away from.
◦ Return Operation:
Use the drop-down list to select the operation label at which the sequence returns.
6. Click OK.
The sequence appears in the navigation pane, and in the Sequences table of the Uses tab.
7. In the Sequences table select the sequence and use the drop-down lists to enter or revise the following information if necessary:
◦ Branching Operation:
Use the drop-down list to select the operation label from which the sequence branches away from. The parent entity value is also displayed in this list.
◦ Branching Lag:
Enter a lag time that is to occur between each sequence.
◦ Return Operation:
Use the drop-down list to select the operation label at which the sequence returns. The parent entity value is also displayed in this list.
◦ Return Constraint:
Use the drop-down list to select the type of constraint that applies to the sequence when it returns (for example, Finish_Start, Finish_Finish).
◦ Return Lag:
Enter a lag time that is to occur between each sequence.
 | To edit a sequence in a structure browser you must first create a table view that includes the columns Branching Operation and Return Operation. For more information see Creating and Editing New Table Views. |
Allocating a part from the related BOM to an operation in an alternate sequence
While allocating a part from the related BOM to an operation in an alternate sequence:
1. Allocate the part to any operation that is between the branching and return operations.
2. Allocate the part to the operation under the alternate sequence.
Considerations for Branching and Return Operations
• You can branch off or return to the main sequence at any point while working with sub-sequences.
• When creating a sequence under a parent sequence, you have the flexibility to branch from any operation within that parent sequence, or even from the exact point where the parent sequence itself branched out.
• To return, you can choose any operation within the parent sequence, as long as it falls before or at the point where the parent sequence is returning.
• However, if branching and returning occur at different hierarchical levels, you cannot use the branching operation of the current parent sequence as your return point.
• For parallel sequences, only the left out parts are available for allocations.
• The system also checks for valid part allocations within alternate sequences.
• When selecting branching or return operations, the drop-down menu also displays a reference to the sequence it belongs to. Specifically, each branching or return operation starts with its label, followed by the identity of its parent sequence. This helps you quickly understand where each operation fits within the overall structure, making it easier to choose the right one, especially when you are working with complex or nested sequences.