First, define the material and incoming stock. Material type, condition and size range are the basis for equipment and process planning.
Second, set finished-product targets. Clear requirements for gauge, width, surface condition and flatness help all disciplines work from the same technical brief.
Third, describe production objectives. Expected output, shift patterns and product mix matter more than a single machine parameter when assessing line capacity.
Finally, establish the site constraints. Available floor space, utilities, interfaces with adjacent processes and the installation schedule should all be discussed at the proposal stage.