Try to make a Gantt Chart
The clothing production Gantt chart is primarily divided into four major phases. The first phase is “ordering,” the second phase is “production,” the third phase is “quality control,” and the fourth phase is “shipping.”
Funny thing is that we actually made 2 versions, since we were not sure should we follow Sarah’s requirement in class or did it more comprehensively by ourselves. > Sarah said if we can do more just do it.
Our Gantt Chart:
| [ Ordering] |
| order confirmed |
| fabric approval and FPT |
| fabric and trims approval |
| first fit / digital |
| second fit/ sample sealed |
| pre production sample approved |
| [ Production ] > Require the longest time |
| Fabric production commences |
| Sample sealed |
| Trimmings approved |
| Bulk fabric approved |
| Garment production commences |
| Production sample approved |
| [ Quality Control ] > We add this phase |
| Pre-final inspection (Factory) |
| Final inspection (Buyer) |
| [ Shipping & Logistics ] > Also need abundant time, depends on the supplier country |
| Sorting and packing |
| Labeling |
| Documentation |
| Customs Clearance in China |
| Transportation by sea ( ex: China) |
| Customs Clearance in the UK |
| Delivery at distibution centre |
| Distribution to Retailers |
Overall, I think we did a good job, just got the date wrong and that was fatal ……
Takeaway:
It’s very useful to actually draw a Gantt chart of clothes’ production, so that I can scrutinise the time spent at each stage, which allows me to estimate how much time I’ll need to prepare for the launch of a new season, and to forecast the next season’s trends, which is a kind of gamble every time you launch a new collection!