Translate requirements into capability questions
Replace broad questions such as ‘Can you make this?’ with checks tied to material, geometry, tolerance, process, inspection, volume and timing. Ask for evidence from genuinely comparable work without requesting another customer's confidential data.
Connect equipment to control
An equipment list shows potential, not readiness. Confirm working range, condition, supporting tooling, programmed methods, operator competence and measurement capability.
Test capacity assumptions
Discuss shifts, current loading, maintenance, shared bottlenecks, subcontracted operations and recovery plans. Capacity should be evaluated against the requested schedule and part family.
Record open risks
A useful evaluation ends with evidence, assumptions, gaps, owners and follow-up dates. It does not force every provider into a simple pass/fail label before uncertainties are resolved.
- Evidence reviewed
- Open technical questions
- External processes
- Trial or audit actions