Capacity is useful only when it describes the proposed product, available period, approved material status and operations included in the figure.

Subject-matter check required. Verify every numeric threshold, named standard, commercial term and supplier-specific statement for the exact product and contract.

Frame the decision

Ask for a product-specific line and bottleneck plan, distinguish theoretical from available output and disclose subcontracted stages and contingency routes.

The capacity discussion should expose assumptions and recovery options, not produce a marketing number for publication.

Build the controlled worksheet

Keep these five topic-specific inputs together so the quotation, sample and inspection teams do not work from different assumptions:

  • Product-specific line plan: state the requirement, reference, status and approval owner.
  • Available versus theoretical output: state the requirement, reference, status and approval owner.
  • Material readiness: state the requirement, reference, status and approval owner.
  • Subcontracting disclosure: state the requirement, reference, status and approval owner.
  • Capacity evidence and contingency: state the requirement, reference, status and approval owner.

Evidence to request

  • Approved source or drawing for product-specific line plan
  • Order-specific record covering available versus theoretical output
  • Written acceptance basis for material readiness
  • Controlled decision history for subcontracting disclosure
  • Release evidence connected to capacity evidence and contingency

Evidence must identify the relevant product, material, revision or lot. Record any limitation, substitution or item still awaiting approval.

Risks to close before approval

  • Using a factory-wide headline number for a complex style
  • Excluding material lead time or approval rounds
  • Double-counting output promised to other orders

Assign an owner, due date and written disposition to each unresolved risk. Do not allow an informal answer to replace a controlled revision.

Use the result in the RFQ

Attach the worksheet, quantity, destination, required date and current sample status. Ask the supplier to list assumptions and exceptions against the same five inputs.

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