What should I Include in my Time and Action Plan (TNA)?

In the apparel industry, a time and action plan (TNA) is a schedule that breaks down the tasks necessary to complete an order and the time frame in which each task must be completed. (We have discussed a lot on TNA in previous blog posts that you can check out here and here).

TNAs are basically used in garment manufacturing, where the process can be complex and involve many different players. 

A well-made TNA can help keep production on track and ensure that orders complete on time. In this blog post, we’ll cover the basic elements a great Time and Action Plan should have and how TNAs are used during the manufacturing process.

What Goes Into a Time and Action Plan? 

A typical TNA will include the following information: 

• A description of the product to be produced 
• The quantity of products to be produced 
• The planned start date and end date for production 
• The name of the buyer or customer 
• The name of the factory or supplier 
• A breakdown of the tasks necessary to complete production, including who is responsible for each task 
• Estimated completion dates for each task 
• Milestones that need to meet during production 
• Contingency plans for if something goes wrong

How Are Time and Action Plans Used? 

TNAs are evidently created at the beginning of the production process, after an order has been placed. Businesses use TNA as a roadmap throughout production to ensure that everything stays on track. All parties involved in production should regularly review the TNA to ensure they complete tasks on time and according to the plan. If there are any delays or problems, everyone involved can refer to the TNA to identify the necessary next steps. By keeping everyone on the same page, TNAs can help avoid misunderstandings and miscommunication during production. They can also help factories stay organized and efficient, which can lead to cost savings down the line.

Time and action plans are essential tools in manufacturing apparel. By breaking down the steps necessary to complete an order and setting timelines for each task, TNAs can help keep production on track and ensure that orders completed on time. Certainly TNA can look overwhelming when you first start to get familiar with it, so make sure you look into it carefully so you get familiar with it and you can use them to your advantage.

Freebie Alert: Subscribe to download our ‘TNA Tracking Chart’ template so you can start getting familiar with it. Enjoy!