SKU vs WIP
SKU (Stock Keeping Unit) and WIP (Work In Progress) both come up in business conversations and get confused. Here's the plain-English difference, side by side, so you can use each one with confidence.
The key difference: SKU refers to stock keeping unit, while WIP refers to work in progress — they describe different things even when they show up in the same sentence.
SKU — Stock Keeping Unit
A unique identifier for every distinct product variant a business sells — size, color, configuration. SKU counts drive operational complexity more than revenue ever does.
WIP — Work In Progress
Tasks, inventory, or products that have been started but not yet completed. In operations and agile teams, too much WIP is the single biggest predictor of missed deadlines.
When to use SKU
Reach for "SKU" when the conversation is specifically about stock keeping unit. A unique identifier for every distinct product variant a business sells — size, color, configuration. SKU counts drive operational complexity more than revenue ever does.
When to use WIP
Reach for "WIP" when the conversation is specifically about work in progress. Tasks, inventory, or products that have been started but not yet completed. In operations and agile teams, too much WIP is the single biggest predictor of missed deadlines.
FAQs
What is the difference between SKU and WIP?
SKU stands for Stock Keeping Unit — A unique identifier for every distinct product variant a business sells — size, color, configuration. SKU counts drive operational complexity more than revenue ever does. WIP stands for Work In Progress — Tasks, inventory, or products that have been started but not yet completed. In operations and agile teams, too much WIP is the single biggest predictor of missed deadlines.
Are SKU and WIP the same thing?
No. They're often used in the same conversation because they're related, but they describe different concepts. SKU = Stock Keeping Unit. WIP = Work In Progress.
When should I use SKU vs WIP?
Use SKU when you're specifically referring to stock keeping unit. Use WIP when the topic is work in progress.