Estimate the full elapsed time from purchase order release through production, transport, customs, and receiving.
Total transit time = Order processing + Supplier production + Supplier handling + Transportation + Customs and receiving + Contingency buffer
All entries use calendar days. Core process time excludes the contingency buffer.
The result is the planning time to allow for a supplier order under the entered assumptions. The stage breakdown helps distinguish process time from deliberate contingency.
This is a planning estimate. Weekends, holidays, capacity constraints, and unexpected border holds must be reflected in the entered stage values.
Using order processing 2 days, supplier production 10 days, supplier handling 2 days, transportation 6 days, customs and receiving 2 days, contingency buffer 2 days gives 24 days. Core time is 22 days, the buffer is 8.3%, and the total equals 3.43 weeks.
Yes. Include transportation when the goal is elapsed time from order release to receipt; otherwise the estimate stops too early.
Inputs are calendar days. Convert working-day estimates before entry if the supplier or carrier quotes business days.
Enter zero for customs when it does not apply, but keep receiving or inspection time in the appropriate stage.
A separate buffer makes planned protection visible and prevents it from being confused with normal operating time.
Use it as a planning input, then account for the actual order date, holidays, cutoff times, and supplier commitments.
| Variable | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Order processing | Calendar days entered for order processing. |
| Supplier production | Calendar days entered for supplier production. |
| Supplier handling | Calendar days entered for supplier handling. |
| Transportation | Calendar days entered for transportation. |
| Customs and receiving | Calendar days entered for customs and receiving. |
| Contingency buffer | Calendar days entered for contingency buffer. |