Order Confirmation
This is the "go" button. You and the buyer finalize the product specs, quantity, price, and—most importantly—the shipping deadline.
Key Checkpoint:
Everything flows from this. A clear, confirmed order prevents mistakes. Any ambiguity here (e.g., "about 500 units") will cause problems later.
Sourcing & Prep
Now the work splits. You must order raw materials (like fabric, steel, or components) AND book a container and space on a ship (Freight Booking).
Potential Bottleneck:
Production cannot start without materials. This is the first major critical step. A 1-week delay from your material supplier means a 1-week delay for the *entire* production run.
Production & QC
This is the main manufacturing phase. Once materials arrive, the production line starts. After the goods are made, Quality Control (QC) inspects them.
Key Checkpoint:
QC is a critical gate. If the products fail inspection, you have to rework them, which costs time and money. This must be completed before packaging can begin.
Packaging & Docs
While the approved goods are being packaged, your team must prepare all export documents (Bill of Lading, Certificate of Origin, etc.).
Potential Bottleneck:
This is a parallel-path problem. The goods can be ready, but they cannot move without the correct documents. A simple typo can get the shipment stopped at customs.
Logistics & Customs
The packaged goods are loaded onto a truck (Inland Transport) and sent to the port. At the port, the documents are processed (Customs Clearance).
Key Checkpoint:
This is where everything must come together: the physical goods, the correct documents, and the pre-booked container.
Vessel Loading & Ship
Success! After customs clearance, the container is loaded onto the ship. The vessel departs, and the shipment is on its way to the buyer.
Project Complete:
The final deadline is met. Any delay in the "bottleneck" steps (like Sourcing or Documentation) would have pushed this date back.
So, what is the "Critical Path"?
The "Critical Path" is simply the longest chain of essential tasks that have zero room for delay.
In our flow, the chain of:
Order Confirmed → Sourcing Materials → Production → QC → Packaging → Inland Transport → Customs → Vessel Loading
...is the critical path. A delay in any one of these steps will delay the final shipment, because the next step can't start.
Tasks like "Freight Booking" or "Export Documentation" are also critical, but they run on their own parallel paths. The key is that *all* of these paths must meet at the port on time. The manager's job is to watch the longest, most sensitive path to make sure the final date doesn't slip.
Data Sources
The information in this guide is based on established international trade practices and data from the following organizations:
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