Workshop Readiness Assessment

To determine whether a product is ready to be built in a successful workshop, here are some considerations?

1. Are complete build instructions available?
2. Is the build staged in distinct phases?
3. Is build time and quality control data available for prior builds?
4. What is the current build time?
5. How many units have been built?
6. How many hours of functional track record do the build already have?
7. What is the feedback on the effectiveness of the build?
8. How many similar workshops have been run?
9. Were design changes or part substitutions made since the last time?
10. If so, what are the improvements since the last time?
11. What bugs exist in the design?
12. What are the challenges during the build?
13. What is the build preparation time for sourcing materials and preparing workshop documentation?
14. What is the material cost per unit?
15. What is the value of a comparable product purchased off the shelf?
16. Prior to the workshop, how much time is required for (1) finding sources of materials; (2) purchasing; (3) receiving; (4) inventorying; (5) precutting, pre-processing materials; (6) doing or outsourcing any other fabrication; (7) sourcing, preparing, and maintaining tools; (8) securing and setting up the production space; (9) any other preparation for the actual build.
17. What skill level is assumed of the participants?
18. Is a quality control checklist available?
19. How many instructors are required to run the event?
20. Are instructor training materials available?
21. Is an instructor training program in place or planned for the future?
22. Are there any features of the product that are unique and not available from any other provider?
23. How many instructors are capable of organizing and teaching the workshop?
24. What are the advantages and disadvantages of the current design?
25. Is the machine intended for long term use in production?
26. What is the expected hads-off run time before any maintenance, service, or adjustment has to be made?