---
title: Cycle Planning
slug: work-step-cycles
createdAt: 2025-06-20T13:53:46.082Z
---

In a Technology, you can define **Cycles** for an article.
A **Cycle** tells planeus how many times one or more Work Steps need to be repeated in sequence during production.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/M1QBpK9lJudQQL_d-GMK2/Ii2ep5vbGrpF2pngLP_Yb_image.png)

# How Cycles Work

- If your Technology includes **Parallel Resources**, planeus takes those into account during the cycle.
- Once a Work Step is in a cycle, you **cannot delete them** from the Technology. This also applies to any predecessor steps linked to them.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/M1QBpK9lJudQQL_d-GMK2/zT-_88tLVdWwsaGKHhbto_image.png)

# Example: Laboratories & Testing Environments

In a materials testing lab, certain analyses—like thermal cycling, stress testing, or sample incubation—must be repeated a set number of times to meet testing protocols.

 Using** Cycles**, you can schedule these repetitions in advance, account for shared lab equipment (e.g., incubators, centrifuges), and ensure each repeat run is automatically reflected in the plan. This eliminates manual rescheduling and keeps the testing process aligned with compliance and turnaround targets. 

:::hint{type="warning"}
A cycle will replace the entire sequence of steps in the Technology.
:::

:::hint{type="success"}
Cycles help you plan repeating processes efficiently, ensuring your production schedule reflects exactly how work happens on the shop floor!
:::