Abstract: A system and method of tracking a shipment using a manifest is presented. The method includes composing and producing a uniquely numbered manifest containing a description of the materials that make up the content of the shipment. The method further includes creating a work order, responsive to obtaining information about materials intended to be shipped, and associating the work order with a manifest record comprising a unique number and information to be supplied for the header of the manifest. The method further includes adding to the manifest record lines of information describing the material to be shipped. At a subsequent time, for instance when a transporting vehicle arrives to pick up the material, information in the manifest record can be further edited. The method further includes producing a manifest based on the manifest record.