1) Set the quality requirement and conditions to meet them. 2) Set the timeline in accordance with customer expectation 3) Set a risk analysis and a mitigation plan if point 1) and/or point 2) will not be accomplished.

Designer should pen down the basic design on a paper before start working on it to have a clear picture of what and how the project should start. The more deeper you are in the design, the tougher is it to go back at the initiation point Try to maintain a library of sub assemblies that are commonly used in your projects which should help you to save time of re-thinking, drawing and evaluation

To set realistic timelines for detailed CAD projects: 1. Understand Scope : Discuss requirements, deliverables, and complexity with the client. 2. Break Down Tasks: Split into phases (design, modeling, revisions) and estimate time for each. 3. Account for Variables: Include feedback loops, team capacity, and potential delays. 4. Use Tools: Leverage CAD features and project management tools for efficiency. Communicate Clearly: Share a timeline with milestones, updates, and buffers for unexpected challenges. This ensures balanced timelines without compromising quality.

Experience is the key. However, if you are new, my suggestion is: 1. If you know what to design, how to design, amd you have designed it before, ask for double the time you think you need. 2. If you know what to design, how to design, but have never in the past designed it, ask for 4 times the time you think you need. 3. If you know what to design (a reference is available from the client), but you still lack clarity on how to approach the design and have never done it before, then ask for 4-6 times the time you think that you need. 4. And if the client doesn't give clear design goals and will need multiple design iterations, ask for 8-10 times more time than you think you need Start your timing negotiation with this and be honest.

To establish realistic timelines for detailed CAD projects while meeting clients' expectations for quick results, here is a structured approach: 1. In-depth Project Analysis Understand the requirements Identify constraints 2. Evaluate Complexity Analyze the project's scale (geometry, required details, complex assemblies). 3. Break Down the Project into Phases Split the work into precise tasks (sketching, 3D modeling, verifications, rendering). 4. Plan a Buffer for Unforeseen Issues Add a margin to account for client feedback, corrections, or unexpected obstacles. 5. Communicate with the Client Explain the steps and methodology used to define the timeline. 6. Optimize Resources 7. Document the Work Plan 8. Track Progress Regularly

As a designer we can have a lot of standard parts or catalogues to use in eveey project and it is really help us to reduce time. Another point is about designing type. For example, some typical designing need less tme than unique works. Furthermore, thanks to the technology, we can write different codes in every software, using to reduce time as a part of work for instance drawing can be generated automatically.

Setting realistic timelines for detailed CAD projects requires a blend of experience and efficient project management. Over the years, I’ve developed the ability to accurately estimate project durations by leveraging my deep understanding of CAD workflows and common challenges. However, I don’t rely solely on experience. I use Agile methodologies, breaking complex projects into smaller, manageable tasks with iterative deliverables. This approach ensures flexibility, prioritizes goals, and incorporates regular client feedback. It also allows the team to handle unexpected challenges without delaying the overall timeline. The result? A strong balance between quality, adaptability, and meeting deadline

Initially, I talk to the client to understand how complex the required project is, we analyze the key points and define the scope of supply, once this is done we can start and work coherently.

Get clarified the scope and target of the design. Get confirmation on the hard deadline of the project. Breakdown to smaller scope base on Object oriented model. Gather team to share the scope and and get feedback on recyclable scope that we have from previous project. Task out to several designers (resource) and assembly back base on the available time. Spare times for revision and some feedback from stakeholder