What is Lead Time | Time and Action calendar | How to prepare a Time and Action calendar for executing an order perfectly

Introduction: In the clothing industry, lead-time is the total time to complete a product from the time the order is received and shipped to the Customer. A brief production lead period is a strategic advantage; many clients want their products to be delivered as early as possible after placing the order. The time required for production is the time of waiting and time of shipment.

Normally, the lead-time is provided 90-120 days. If you are able to the shipment before 2-7 days, it will be a huge achievement for you and your company. But how do you achieve this???

You only achieve this, if you have a perfect Time and Action calendar and follow this gradually.

Time and Action Calendar

In the manufacturing industry, periodic assessments of manufacturing activate must be carried out with the assistance of time to execute an export order. This periodic assessment is called the Time & Action Plan or Cold chain Procedure. It's called TNA, as well. By this assessment, a merchant can readily understand the current order condition. We are all aware of the customer mentioning the lead time to the order sheet in the event of the export order. The merchandiser is, therefore, making a Time and Action calendar according to this lead time. This technique helps to ensure that an order is delivered in due course.

Importance of TNA for a Merchandiser: A time and action calendar is very important for a merchandiser. It enables an intelligent merchant to identify important assignments in a company. There are also some benefits to prepare a TNA sheet;

1. It gives the understanding of the running order status.
2. For smooth shipments, it is an important component.
3. It provides an obvious export order plan
4. It improves the management of stock in the plant.
5. The status of the order processing at various levels in the clothing sector should be known.
6. For timely delivery of an export order, it is vital that execution of the export order is properly facilitated.
7. Therefore, it improves productivity and improves earnings for a business.

Basically, a TNA is prepared by a merchandiser that he execute the order very easily. They should make two types of TNA spreadsheet.

1. Single style detailed TNA sheet.
2. Multi style Summary TNA sheet.

Single styles Detailed TNA sheet: A Single styles Detailed Time and Action sheet is a TNA a sheet where only a style of dress order execution step is listed. Here, every single process of production is mentioned with the date and responsible person.

Single style detailed TNA sheet

1. Firstly, open your any Excel software and create a new excel sheet.
2. Now start writing your company name and heading top of this sheet.
3. Look at the order sheet and find out the Buyer name, Brand name, order quantity, Style no., and Lead-time. Because you should make a TNA by following lead-time.
4. Writing Serial No., Key Task, Start date of the task, the End date of the task, Responsible person for task and remark for task complete or not complete on column.
5. Finally, Talk all necessary person for the task and make sure how much time to be required for each task.

N.B.: Make a TNA that you have enough time for shipment (at least 7-10 days). 

Multi-style Summary TNA sheet: A Multi-style Summary Time and Action sheet is a TNA sheet where more than one dress and style order execution step is listed. It is for you when you have more than one order to handle at the same lead-time and date for shipment. 

Multi-style Summary TNA sheet

1. Firstly, open your any Excel software and create a new excel sheet. 
2. Now start writing your company name and heading top of this sheet. 
3. Writing Serial of style name and add a photo of the style, All key task in the top, Start date of the task, the end date of the task, remark for task complete or not complete on the column.

After preparing a TNA at first you need to print some copy and go to all department and give it to them. If they agree to your plan then give him one copy for monitoring the order. Because of every department work with many merchandisers and order. so it will help them to find out which order urgent for theirs.

There are some tips that you should maintain your work perfectly:

1. If you distribute TNA calendar to them, take the signature of a responsible individual. You are presumed to agree on your plan once you sign it. So nobody demonstrates discord on your scheme later. 
2. When planning days, refer to the group of TNA calendars "To-do lists." Update every schedule simultaneously by marking the printed copy or not. Fill in the real beginning and end date of the procedures finished.
3. Take out the print of each calendar, pack it and keep it for easy access on your desk.
4. If something is delayed, inform the department and the person concerned and ask why the delay should happen. And check whether the delay is handy. If the delayed method (completed at the due date) is not manageable, the next procedures are progressed. In this scenario, a fresh plan for the remainder of the duties may be needed.
5. At the end of the day, update your TNA calendar. Do it as you like if regular updates are not feasible. However, it needs to be performed regularly.

From the above discussion, we can say maintaining lead time is most important and Time and action calendar make it easy for a merchandiser. So Time and action sheet should be made by following the lead time of each order. 

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