Issue a usable manufacturer brief
Provide drawings, quantities by type, materials, finishes, performance standards, destination, program and approval process. Identify whether the supplier is expected to engineer, manufacture, install or only price to a completed design.
Screen for project capability
Ask about relevant contract work, internal versus subcontracted production, engineering resources, quality control, capacity, prototyping and change management. Similar aesthetics do not prove similar delivery capability.
Control samples and approvals
Use finish samples, material submissions, shop drawings, prototypes or room mock-ups according to risk. Record approvals and deviations so production does not rely on informal messages.
Plan the final mile early
Packaging, consolidation, inspection, shipping sequence, customs, site access, storage and installation responsibilities should be assigned before production is complete.
Requirements vary by product and destination and should be verified before an order is finalized.