Give the next person a clearer brief.
Four working templates for sourcing and manufacturing products. Start with a completed example, then adapt the fields to your product and supplier conversations. No signup required.
Product sourcing brief
Turn a product idea into a brief manufacturers can evaluate. Replace the example with your own requirements.
Send the same version to each shortlisted supplier. Ask them to identify assumptions and exceptions before quoting.
See a completed example
- Product and intended use
- Hypothetical example: An everyday tote for carrying a laptop and groceries. Initial market: United States.
- Specification and references
- Define dimensions, fabric weight, construction, handle length and required performance. Attach a drawing and reference images; identify which details are essential.
- Quantity and target economics
- Request comparable quotes at the quantities you can realistically finance. Specify whether the target is factory price or landed cost.
- Materials and packaging
- List material preferences, hardware, labels, carton requirements and any substantiated product claims. Ask the factory to flag substitutions.
- Samples and acceptance
- Define what the sample must prove: dimensions, construction, comfort and performance. Agree the sample cost, process and review timing.
- Market requirements
- Name the destination market and intended user. Confirm applicable safety, labeling and testing requirements with qualified sources for this product.
- Timing and commercial questions
- Give the desired launch date, ask for milestone estimates, and confirm payment terms, tooling ownership, inspection and change approval.
Make your own brief
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Supplier quote comparison
Put competing quotes on a common basis before choosing a factory or negotiating an existing SKU.
These fields organize a comparison; they do not calculate taxes or replace a current freight quote. Mark every estimate and its date.
See a completed example
- Common specification
- Use the same drawing revision, materials, approved reference, quantity and packaging requirements for every supplier.
- Unit price and setup costs
- Supplier A / B / C: unit price, currency, MOQ, tooling, sample fees, setup fees and what is excluded.
- Delivery basis and logistics
- Record the exact Incoterm, version and named place. Separately record freight, insurance, brokerage and destination handling assumptions.
- Landed-cost assumptions
- Itemize applicable verified duties, shipping and nonrecoverable fees. Divide order-level costs by the relevant sellable units. Separate recoverable taxes from expense assumptions.
- Quality and lead time
- Compare tests, inspection scope, acceptable variation, sample approval, production lead time and capacity evidence.
- Cash and risk
- Record deposits, balance timing, currency exposure, inspection remedies and cost of financing or storing extra units.
- Retail pricing context
- Record net selling price, discounts, payment fees, fulfillment, returns and acquisition-cost assumptions separately. Calculate contribution using a clearly defined denominator.
- Decision and open questions
- State which option you favor and why. List unresolved assumptions that could reverse the decision before you approve the order.
Make your own brief
Your entries stay in this tab. Download before leaving; they are not saved or sent to AnyGoods.
Product sample review
Record how a sample performs against the brief and what must change before production.
A sample review is not a product certification. Verify the requirements and appropriate test methods for the product and destination.
See a completed example
- Sample identity
- Record supplier, sample date, version, material and drawing revision. Photograph identifying details.
- Dimensions and construction
- Measure specified dimensions and inspect seams, edges, fasteners or joints. Record actual observations and agreed tolerances.
- Function and intended use
- Describe a repeatable use test and the result. Example: place the desk organizer on a flat surface and check whether it sits securely.
- Materials and finish
- Compare the sample with agreed materials and color references. Record visible variation and evidence supplied for material claims.
- Packaging and shipment
- Inspect protection, fit, labels and carton information. Identify transit tests that should be agreed for the actual shipment.
- Required documentation
- List product-specific test reports or compliance information that need independent verification; do not infer compliance from appearance.
- Decision and next revision
- Approve, reject or request changes. Name the approver and create an unambiguous reference for the next sample or production run.
Make your own brief
Your entries stay in this tab. Download before leaving; they are not saved or sent to AnyGoods.
Production and reorder planner
Connect the order milestones to the launch or reorder decision.
Build a range for uncertain dates and demand. Confirm supplier commitments and logistics requirements before relying on a timeline.
See a completed example
- Order and demand scenario
- Record SKU, order quantity, stock on hand and realistic low/base/high demand assumptions. Note where demand data came from.
- Before production
- List specification freeze, sample approval, materials, tooling and deposit milestones, with owners and dependencies.
- During production
- Record production start, check-in dates, inspection points, change approval and the latest date for escalation.
- Before shipment
- Confirm inspection release, balance payment, packing data, carton labels, bookings and destination receiving requirements.
- Delivery and receiving
- Plan transit, customs clearance, fulfillment appointments and inventory availability. Keep estimates distinct from confirmed dates.
- Reorder decision
- Estimate demand during replenishment lead time and add a justified uncertainty allowance. Document the evidence that will trigger the next order.
- Contingency
- Name the specific delay or shortage risk and its response. Compare split shipments, alternate materials or a second supplier on cost and fit.
Make your own brief
Your entries stay in this tab. Download before leaving; they are not saved or sent to AnyGoods.
Need help producing the work? Talk to AnyGoods about your brief.