YouTube video by Wade Motawi talking through a checklist for developers
Notes
- Does the project have an approved last?
- “the core to making your product successful”
- takes a lot of time
- if you have a factory replicate a last, will have to check it
- Are drawings and specs complete?
- if there are holes in the spec, at least let everyone know
- Realistic target price?
- avoid “gold plating” a design for nothing
- will develop pricing instincts over time
- just reviewing shoes at different prices at retail can help
- can work backward from price through import, overhead, &c.
- Look for technical problems.
- especially highly technical pieces
- Do you need new tooling?
- Is your deadline realistic?
- seasonality
- e.g. sandals ready in January to land at retail in March and April
- e.g. winter boots ready in August, so in store when snow falls
- air freight expensive, may be necessary not to miss a year
- Have the right shoe factory?
- problems with factories found on Alibaba
- or “not export grade”
- especially when branching out to new types of shoes
- e.g. don’t use huge boot factory for sandals
- lots of factories just say “yes”
- Do you have the capabilities for the project?
- “I don’t know how to do this.”
- have to ask someone else
- What could blow up price or schedule?
- have to blow the whistle
- e.g. nine-color embroidery on a cheap shoe
- e.g. logo embroidery on three separate parts
- e.g. scrapping a tool midway through
- “good is good enough and great is next season”
- see in specs or samples
- let people know, even if you figure it out a few days later
- The developer is the most important person on the team.
- negotiate design intent, product manager’s requirements, factory’s capabilities
- “time and space”
- let decision makers know about consequences, e.g. need and cost to air freight components