Free, no sign-up to start: the plan opens as a live, editable Gantt chart. 13 tasks across 5 phases, about 37 weeks if every task runs in sequence.
What's in the template
| Phase | Task | Example duration |
|---|---|---|
| Concept | Requirements and cost targets | 14 days |
| Concept | Concept design | 21 days |
| Design | Detailed design and drawings | 35 days |
| Design | Prototype build | 21 days |
| Design | Design verification testing | 21 days |
| Industrialize | Supplier selection and quotes | 21 days |
| Industrialize | Tooling fabrication | 45 days |
| Industrialize | First article inspection | 7 days |
| Validate | Pilot production build | 10 days |
| Validate | Production validation testing | 14 days |
| Validate | Certification testing | 21 days |
| Ramp | Production ramp | 30 days |
| Ramp | Launch | 1 day |
Durations are examples to replace with your own estimates, not benchmarks.
About this manufacturing new product introduction
Hardware schedules are dominated by long, hard-to-compress steps: prototype iterations, tooling and supplier lead times, and validation builds. This template keeps each gate visible so a slip in tooling shows up as a slip in launch.
It suits a physical product moving from design to contract or in-house manufacturing. Rename the gates to your company's stage-gate terms.
Who it's for: Hardware product managers, manufacturing engineers and operations leads.
How to use it
- Open the plan. Click Open in the editor.
- Run sourcing alongside design. To start supplier selection during detailed design, remove its predecessor in the task panel and set the new start date. Then add design verification testing as a predecessor of tooling fabrication, so a design delay still moves the launch.
- Enter supplier lead times. Replace the tooling duration with your toolmaker's quote; it often sets the launch date.
- Share with suppliers. Send a read-only link so suppliers see the dates that depend on them.
Planning tips
- Plan for more than one prototype round.
- Start certification planning early; test lab slots can book up.
- Keep first article inspection as its own gate.
Frequently asked questions
- What is NPI?
- New product introduction: the process of taking a product from design into reliable volume manufacturing.
- Which certifications should I plan for?
- It depends on the product and markets. Common examples include safety and electromagnetic compatibility testing; check your market's requirements.
- Can the plan run longer than a year?
- Yes. Plans can run up to two years in the editor.
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