Certified Logistics Associate (CLA) Practice Test 2026 - Free CLA Practice Questions and Study Aid.

The term that is most closely associated with order processing is picking. Picking refers to the process of retrieving items from inventory for customer orders. It is a crucial step in order fulfillment, where items are selected according to the details specified in a customer's order. This process can involve various methods, such as single order picking, batch picking, or zone picking, all aimed at efficiently collecting the correct items to fulfill specific orders.

Loading, on the other hand, pertains to the physical action of placing goods onto a transport vehicle, which may occur after items are picked and packaged. Cross-docking involves the direct transfer of goods from inbound to outbound transportation without storing them in a warehouse, thus not directly linked to processing individual orders. Shipping refers to the overall process of sending products to customers, which comes after picking and typically includes packing and dispatching, but is not focused on the initial order fulfillment aspect as picking is. Therefore, picking is the key activity that directly correlates with the order processing stage.