Work backwards from the receiving date, and include approval time in the delivery plan.
Define when the production clock starts
“Production takes 15 days” and “Delivered in 15 days” are different commitments. Confirm whether the clock starts at payment, artwork approval or sample approval, and whether the quoted production period includes transport.
Add the stages into one schedule
Add the stages together. An example of 3 days for drawing approval, 5 days for sample approval, 15 days for production and 7 days for transport totals 30 days. Leave additional allowance for customs and revisions, and confirm whether each quoted period uses calendar or working days.
Compare split delivery against a missed date
When an event date is fixed, discuss a split delivery. For example, ship 50 pieces for the first event and the remaining 450 pieces later. Compare the cost of two shipments with the cost of delaying the project before choosing that plan.
- 3 daysDrawing approvalAgreed revision
- 5 daysSample approvalAgreed checks
- 15 daysProductionConfirmed start
- 7 daysTransportRoute allowance
- ExtraCustoms & revisionsConfirm the calendar
