Project Timeline Planner: from RFQ to FAT, SAT and commissioning
Enter the date you plan to issue the RFQ and adjust each stage duration. The planner maps every RFQ stage to a calendar date, including the acceptance milestones buyers most often forget to fix in advance: FAT, SAT and commissioning.
277 days ≈ 9 months
FAT — Factory Acceptance Test
2027-03-09
Week 27 after RFQ issue
SAT — Site Acceptance Test
2027-05-11
Week 36 after RFQ issue
Commissioning and ramp-up
2027-06-01
Week 39 after RFQ issue
Stage-by-stage schedule
RFQ issued
Structured RFQ sent to the selected manufacturers.
Quotation window
Manufacturers prepare and return their offers.
Technical clarification
Scope gaps closed so offers become comparable.
Human review and fit validation
Capability, references and commercial fit validated before any introduction.
Order placed
Contract signed, down payment released, schedule frozen.
Detailed engineering
Layouts, interfaces and utilities approved by the buyer.
Manufacturing and assembly
Build, sub-supplier deliveries and internal testing.
FAT — Factory Acceptance Test
Performance verified at the manufacturer's works against agreed criteria.
Shipping and customs
Packing, freight, duties and inland transport to site.
Installation and mechanical completion
Positioning, connections, utilities and dry runs on site.
SAT — Site Acceptance Test
Performance re-verified on site with your material and staff.
Commissioning and ramp-up
Production settings tuned, operators trained, output stabilised.
Final handover
Documentation, spare parts and warranty start.
Put these dates in the RFQ
Quotations are only comparable when FAT criteria, SAT criteria and the required commissioning date are stated in the RFQ itself. Copy the dates above into your RFQ, then let the builder structure the rest of the requirement. Every request is reviewed by a person before any manufacturer is approached — there is no automatic buyer-to-manufacturer connection.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take from RFQ to commissioning for a production line?
For special machinery and production lines the typical span is 9 to 14 months from RFQ issue to commissioning: roughly 6–8 weeks for quotations and clarification, 4–7 months for engineering and manufacturing up to FAT, 4–8 weeks for shipping and customs, and 4–8 weeks for installation, SAT and ramp-up. The planner shows your own dates once you enter the durations agreed with the manufacturer.
What is the difference between FAT and SAT?
FAT (Factory Acceptance Test) verifies performance at the manufacturer's works before shipment, using agreed test material and measurable criteria. SAT (Site Acceptance Test) repeats the verification at your site after installation, with your material, utilities and operators. Payment milestones are normally tied to both.
When should FAT and SAT dates be fixed?
In the RFQ, before quotations arrive. Acceptance criteria and test dates change how a manufacturer prices and schedules the project, so stating them up front is what makes offers comparable.
Are these dates a commitment?
No. The planner produces a planning schedule from the durations you enter. Contractual dates come from the manufacturer's quotation and the signed contract. Global B2B Group is a procurement and project-development group and does not manufacture the equipment.
Planning estimates only. Durations vary by equipment type, manufacturer workload, shipping route and site readiness; contractual dates come from the manufacturer's quotation and the signed contract. Global B2B Group is a procurement and project-development group, not a manufacturer or a lender. Managed sourcing applies to industrial projects from roughly USD 250,000 upward.