Work in Progress vs Work in Process: Which Term Is Correct?

⏱ Reading time: 7 min read

Quick answer: Both “work in progress” and “work in process” are correct, but they’re used in different contexts. Use “work in progress” for creative projects, personal development, and general unfinished tasks. Use “work in process” for manufacturing, accounting, and formal business inventory contexts.

These two phrases sound nearly identical and both describe unfinished work, which is why I see them confused constantly in business reports, project management documents, and even accounting statements. The confusion is understandable—both terms refer to incomplete work—but using the wrong one can make your writing sound unprofessional or technically inaccurate depending on your industry.

Term	Meaning / When to use	Example sentence
Work in progress	General term for any ongoing project, creative endeavor, or personal development; used in everyday language, creative fields, and project management	“My novel is still a work in progress, but I’ve finished three chapters.”
Work in process	Technical accounting and manufacturing term for partially completed goods in a production line; formal business inventory classification	“The factory’s work in process inventory totaled $2.3 million at quarter’s end.”

When to use work in progress

“Work in progress” is your go-to phrase for describing anything unfinished in everyday contexts, creative projects, or personal development. I use this term constantly when editing manuscripts, reviewing project proposals, and reading professional bios. It’s the phrase people reach for when they want to acknowledge that something isn’t complete but is actively being developed.

Think of “work in progress” as the human, relatable way to describe ongoing effort. It appears in artist statements, LinkedIn profiles, team meetings, and casual conversations. When you say something is a work in progress, you’re emphasizing the journey and the fact that improvement is happening, even if the final result isn’t ready yet.

Here are real examples I’ve corrected in actual documents:

• Email to client: “The website redesign is a work in progress, but we’ll have mockups ready for your review by Friday.” (Not “work in process”—this isn’t a manufacturing context.)
• Resume/CV: “Currently developing a mobile app as a personal work in progress to showcase my coding skills.” (Using “work in process” here would sound oddly technical and out of place.)
• Text message to colleague: “Sorry, the presentation is still a work in progress—I’ll send the final version tonight.” (Casual, professional, and correct.)

Use “work in progress” when you’re talking about:

• Creative projects (writing, art, design, music)
• Personal growth or skill development
• Home improvement projects
• Software development (unless you’re specifically discussing inventory accounting)
• Team projects in non-manufacturing contexts
• Anything where you want to emphasize the developmental nature of the work

When to use work in process

“Work in process” is the technical term used in manufacturing, accounting, and supply chain management to describe partially completed goods moving through a production system. According to Work in process – Wikipedia, this term specifically refers to inventory that has entered the production process but isn’t yet a finished product ready for sale.

This isn’t a phrase you’d use in casual conversation or creative contexts. I’ve seen it misused in marketing copy and general business communications where “work in progress” would have been far more appropriate. “Work in process” belongs in financial statements, operations reports, and manufacturing documentation.

The key distinction is that “work in process” treats incomplete items as inventory assets with measurable value. It’s a formal accounting classification, not a description of effort or development.

Here are examples showing correct usage:

• Manufacturing report: “Our work in process inventory increased 15% this quarter due to higher production volume.” (Correct—this is a manufacturing context.)
• Accounting statement: “The balance sheet shows $450,000 in work in process, representing partially assembled vehicles.” (Using “work in progress” here would be technically incorrect in formal accounting.)
• Operations email: “We need to reduce our work in process levels to improve cash flow and warehouse efficiency.” (This is proper supply chain terminology.)

Use “work in process” when you’re discussing:

• Manufacturing inventory accounting
• Production line management
• Supply chain metrics
• Financial reporting for manufacturing companies
• Cost accounting and inventory valuation
• Lean manufacturing and operations management

How to remember the difference

Here’s the memory trick I teach every junior editor and business writer: Progress is personal; Process is production.

The word “progress” contains the idea of moving forward, improving, and developing—concepts that apply to people, creative work, and projects. When you’re making progress, you’re growing and advancing. That’s why “work in progress” fits personal development, creative endeavors, and general projects.

The word “process” is mechanical and systematic. It suggests a repeatable series of steps, like an assembly line or a manufacturing workflow. Processes are about transforming raw materials into finished goods through defined stages. That’s why “work in process” belongs in factories and accounting departments.

Another way to remember: If you could replace the phrase with “under construction” or “in development,” use “work in progress.” If you could replace it with “inventory” or “partially completed goods,” use “work in process.”

I also tell my clients to think about their audience. Are you writing for other humans who care about your journey? Use “work in progress.” Are you writing for accountants, auditors, or operations managers who need precise inventory classifications? Use “work in process.” For more, see Work in process – Wikipedia. For more, see Work in process – Wikipedia. For more, see Progress.

Common mistakes and exceptions

The most common mistake I see is using “work in process” in creative or general business contexts where it sounds stiff and overly technical. I recently edited a graphic designer’s portfolio website that described each project as “work in process”—it made the creative work sound like it was being manufactured on an assembly line rather than developed through artistic iteration. Changing it to “work in progress” immediately made the copy feel more human and appropriate.

Conversely, I’ve reviewed manufacturing company financial statements that used “work in progress” when discussing inventory valuation. While this isn’t grammatically wrong, it’s imprecise in an accounting context where “work in process” (often abbreviated as WIP) is the standard technical term. In formal accounting and auditing, precision matters.

US vs UK English: Both American and British English use these terms the same way. There’s no regional spelling variation to worry about here—unlike “color/colour” or “practice/practise.” The distinction is purely contextual, not geographical.

The abbreviation trap: Both terms can be abbreviated as “WIP,” which creates confusion in documents. I always recommend spelling out the full term on first use and noting which meaning applies. For example: “Work in process (WIP) inventory” makes it clear you’re using the manufacturing term, while “work in progress (WIP)” signals the general usage.

Software development exception: In agile software development, teams often use “work in progress” or “WIP limits” to describe the number of tasks actively being worked on. Even though software could be considered a “process,” the industry standard is “work in progress” because it’s about managing workflow and human productivity, not inventory accounting.

One more edge case: Some style guides and industries use the terms interchangeably in informal contexts, but if you want your writing to be precise and professional, stick to the distinctions outlined here. When in doubt, “work in progress” is safer for general use—it’s more widely understood and rarely sounds out of place outside of formal accounting contexts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use “work in progress” and “work in process” interchangeably?

Technically you can, but you shouldn’t if you want precise, professional writing. Use “work in progress” for creative projects and general contexts, and reserve “work in process” for manufacturing and accounting discussions where it’s the established technical term.

Is “work in process” only used in manufacturing?

Yes, primarily. “Work in process” is the standard term in manufacturing, production management, and cost accounting for partially completed inventory. You wouldn’t use it to describe a writing project, home renovation, or personal development goal.

Why do both terms exist if they mean basically the same thing?

They evolved for different purposes. “Work in progress” developed as a general phrase for ongoing creative or developmental work, while “work in process” emerged as specific accounting and manufacturing terminology to classify inventory assets on financial statements. The distinction helps professionals communicate precisely within their fields.

Which term should I use on my resume or LinkedIn profile?

Always use “work in progress” on resumes, LinkedIn profiles, and professional bios. Saying your skills or projects are a “work in progress” shows self-awareness and commitment to growth. Using “work in process” would make it sound like you’re a product on an assembly line, which is not the impression you want to give.