Centralizing Information & Managing Custom Changes

In custom manufacturing, change is inevitable. Schedules shift, clients postpone, and priorities move. But when you get that dreaded morning call from the general contractor saying, “Hey, we need to push the project a month”, the real challenge begins.

Because that single change doesn’t just affect one person. It triggers a domino effect across your entire operation.

Excerpt from CMA’s “The Calendar Challenge for Cabinetmakers” webinar

The Ripple Effect of One Change

When a project is delayed, how many people need to be informed?

• Procurement: so you don’t end up stuck with materials sitting in storage.
• Production: because the schedule now needs to be pushed.
• Installation teams and subcontractors: since their time slots have to be moved.
• Shipping and logistics: because deliveries will need rescheduling.
• Accounting and invoicing: since billing timelines will change.

If even one of these departments isn’t informed in time, you risk confusion, rework, and costly errors. That’s why traceability and real-time communication are so critical.

The Power of Centralized Information

In the best-case scenario, every piece of information (schedules, materials, changes, and notes) lives in one central system. When you move a date, it moves for everyone.

Without centralization, many shops rely on shared calendars, spreadsheets, or even whiteboards. While those tools work to an extent, they can’t automatically update every department or log who made the change, or why.

That “why” is just as important as the change itself. Tracking reasons for schedule shifts helps you analyze patterns, make better decisions in the future, and strengthen your client relationships.

Working Smarter with Backward Scheduling

Another best practice is scheduling backwards: starting from your delivery or installation date, then working your way up through wrapping, quality control, and production.

This method keeps production as close as possible to delivery, minimizing the time finished goods sit idle on your shop floor. Because when projects get delayed repeatedly (as many did during COVID) you don’t want completed cabinets collecting dust, taking up space, and tying up cash flow.

Not only does early production hurt your financials, but it also increases the risk of damage or missing parts before installation day.

Keeping Production Flowing Smoothly

When everything is connected (your schedules, materials, and departments) you can adapt faster and with fewer disruptions. A centralized ERP system ensures that:

✅ Every department stays aligned.
✅ Every change is tracked and justified.
✅ Every production step happens at the right time.

That’s how you move from firefighting to proactive management.