# Plan a transition from one supplier to another

A step-by-step changeover plan covering qualification, bridge inventory, last-time buys, and cutover so supply never breaks.

- Topic: Projects & Operations
- Framework: RTF
- Level: Standard
- Tags: Legal, Plan, Fill-in Template
- Source: https://www.thinkwithprompt.com/prompts/plan-a-transition-from-one-supplier-to-another

## Prompt

```text
Help me plan a switch from an outgoing supplier to a new one without disrupting supply.

**Items moving:** [PARTS OR SERVICES, ANNUAL VOLUME, NUMBER OF SKUS]
**Outgoing supplier and relationship:** [CONTRACT END OR NOTICE TERMS, COOPERATIVE OR NOT, TOOLING OR IP THEY HOLD]
**New supplier status:** [QUOTED / SAMPLES APPROVED / QUALIFIED / NOT YET]
**Qualification needs:** [FIRST ARTICLE, PPAP OR EQUIVALENT, CUSTOMER APPROVAL, REGULATORY CHANGE NOTIFICATION]
**Lead times:** [NEW SUPPLIER RAMP-UP TIME, TRANSIT TIME]
**Current inventory and demand:** [WEEKS OF COVER, FORECAST]
**Target cutover date:** [DATE]

Plan should cover:
1. Qualification steps with realistic durations and the approvals needed (including any customer sign-off).
2. A bridge or last-time buy from the outgoing supplier sized to cover qualification plus a buffer for failure; show the calculation.
3. Tooling, drawings, specs, and test fixtures transfer, and who owns them per the contract.
4. A ramp schedule with parallel supply where possible.
5. System changes: approved vendor list, item master, sourcing rules, open PO cancellation.
6. How to notify the outgoing supplier (timing matters if they could stop shipping).
7. Go/no-go criteria for cutover and a fallback plan.

Use my dates and quantities; mark assumptions [ASSUMPTION]. Contract exit terms should be confirmed with legal.

Return: a timeline table (Phase | Tasks | Owner | Start | End | Dependency), the bridge inventory calculation, the top risks with mitigations, and a draft notice to the outgoing supplier.
```

## What to fill in

- PARTS OR SERVICES, ANNUAL VOLUME, NUMBER OF SKUS
- QUOTED / SAMPLES APPROVED / QUALIFIED / NOT YET
- NEW SUPPLIER RAMP-UP TIME, TRANSIT TIME
- WEEKS OF COVER, FORECAST
- DATE
- ASSUMPTION

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