> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.lumberflow.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Creating Procurement Plans

> Master the interactive lumber planning form and smart grouping system

## The Interactive Lumber Plan Form

Navigate to **Start New Buy** to access the powerful, spreadsheet-style planning interface that transforms your lumber requirements into organized sourcing requests.

## Step 1: Plan Information

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion icon="info-circle" title="Basic Plan Details">
    **Plan Name**: Choose descriptive names like:

    * "Q1 2024 Framing Lumber"
    * "Emergency 2x4 Stock Replenishment"
    * "Spring Building Season SPF Buy"

    **Description**: Add context for your sourcing event:

    * Target completion dates
    * Project requirements
    * Special delivery considerations
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Step 2: Product Specification Columns

### Dimension Selection

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Standard Framing" icon="ruler">
    2x4, 2x6, 2x8, 2x10, 2x12
  </Card>

  <Card title="Engineered Lumber" icon="layers">
    LVL, I-Joists, Glulam
  </Card>

  <Card title="Specialty Products" icon="star">
    Custom dimensions and profiles
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

### Species Options

* **SPF (Spruce-Pine-Fir)**: Most common framing lumber
* **Douglas Fir**: High strength applications
* **Southern Yellow Pine (SYP)**: Treated lumber applications
* **Hemlock**: Regional availability considerations

### Grade Classifications

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion icon="star" title="Structural Grades">
    * **Select Structural**: Highest grade, clear wood
    * **No.1 & Better**: Construction grade with minimal defects
    * **No.2 & Better**: Standard construction grade
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion icon="hammer" title="Construction Grades">
    * **Construction**: General framing applications
    * **Standard**: Lower grade for non-critical applications
    * **Utility**: Temporary construction use
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion icon="home" title="Light Framing">
    * **Stud**: Vertical wall framing
    * **Light Framing**: General residential use
    * **Economy**: Basic applications
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

### Target Pricing Strategy

<Tip>
  **Market Research**: Research current market pricing before setting targets. Factor in:

  * Seasonal price variations
  * Volume discount opportunities
  * Regional pricing differences
  * Delivery and handling costs
</Tip>

## Step 3: Quantity Planning by Length

### Length-Based Inventory Planning

The form provides columns for standard lumber lengths:

* **8ft**: Residential framing, partition walls
* **10ft**: Standard ceiling heights
* **12ft**: Commercial applications
* **14ft**: Tall wall framing
* **16ft**: Long span applications
* **18ft**: Large commercial projects
* **20ft**: Specialty long spans

### Pack Quantity Calculations

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion icon="calculator" title="Understanding Pack Sizes">
    **Standard Pack Sizes**:

    * 2x4 Stud: 50-104 pieces per pack
    * 2x6: 25-50 pieces per pack
    * 2x8: 20-35 pieces per pack
    * 2x10: 15-25 pieces per pack

    **MBF Conversion**: System automatically calculates thousand board feet
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion icon="truck" title="Delivery Considerations">
    Plan pack quantities considering:

    * Truck capacity constraints
    * Storage space limitations
    * Project timeline requirements
    * Inventory turnover rates
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Smart Grouping Logic

### How LumberFlow Groups Your Items

<Steps>
  <Step title="Product Combination Analysis">
    System identifies unique dimension-species-grade combinations
  </Step>

  <Step title="Automatic Grouping">
    Items with identical specifications group into single sourcing requests
  </Step>

  <Step title="Individual Card Creation">
    Each product group becomes a separate Kanban card
  </Step>

  <Step title="Length Detail Preservation">
    All length-specific quantities maintained within each group
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Grouping Examples

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion icon="layer-group" title="Example: Douglas Fir 2x8 No.2&Btr">
    **Input Line Items**:

    * DF 2x8 No.2\&Btr - 25 packs @ 8ft
    * DF 2x8 No.2\&Btr - 30 packs @ 10ft
    * DF 2x8 No.2\&Btr - 20 packs @ 12ft

    **Result**: One sourcing request card for "Douglas Fir 2x8 No.2\&Btr" containing all three length requirements
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion icon="separate-horizontal" title="Example: Multiple Species">
    **Input Line Items**:

    * SPF 2x4 Stud - 100 packs @ 8ft
    * DF 2x4 Stud - 50 packs @ 8ft

    **Result**: Two separate sourcing request cards (different species)
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Advanced Planning Features

### Volume Calculations

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Automatic MBF Calculation" icon="calculator">
    System converts pack quantities to thousand board feet automatically
  </Card>

  <Card title="Total Volume Summary" icon="bar-chart">
    Preview total procurement volume before creating plan
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

### Target Price Optimization

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion icon="target" title="Pricing Strategy">
    **Market-Based Pricing**:

    * Research current commodity prices
    * Factor in regional pricing variations
    * Consider seasonal price trends

    **Volume Pricing**:

    * Account for quantity discounts
    * Plan for freight optimization
    * Consider payment terms benefits
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion icon="trending-up" title="Price Tracking">
    After plan creation:

    * Compare targets vs. actual quotes
    * Track price achievement rates
    * Identify best-performing suppliers
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Plan Review and Creation

### Preview Before Creation

<Steps>
  <Step title="Review Grouping Logic">
    Verify how line items will be grouped into sourcing requests
  </Step>

  <Step title="Check Total Volumes">
    Confirm MBF calculations and total procurement volume
  </Step>

  <Step title="Validate Pricing">
    Review target prices for market reasonableness
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create Plan">
    Generate plan and watch cards appear on your Kanban board
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Post-Creation Actions

Once your plan is created:

1. **Cards Appear on Dashboard**: Each product group becomes a TO\_SOURCE card
2. **Supplier Selection**: Choose which suppliers to approach for each product
3. **RFQ Generation**: Begin outreach with AI-assisted communications
4. **Progress Tracking**: Monitor quote responses and negotiations

## Best Practices

### Planning Optimization

<Tip>
  **Group Similar Products**: Plan related items together to leverage volume discounts and optimize freight.
</Tip>

<Tip>
  **Realistic Timing**: Consider lead times and delivery schedules when setting up multiple procurement plans.
</Tip>

<Tip>
  **Market Timing**: Understand seasonal lumber pricing patterns and plan accordingly.
</Tip>

### Common Mistakes to Avoid

<Warning>
  **Overly Aggressive Targets**: Setting unrealistic target prices can limit supplier participation.
</Warning>

<Warning>
  **Insufficient Volume Planning**: Account for waste factors and project overages in your quantities.
</Warning>

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Dashboard Overview" icon="table-layout" href="/user-guide/dashboard-overview">
    Learn to navigate your new Kanban cards
  </Card>

  <Card title="Supplier Management" icon="users" href="/user-guide/supplier-management">
    Set up suppliers to receive your RFQs
  </Card>

  <Card title="Advanced Workflows" icon="workflow" href="/user-guide/advanced-workflows">
    Master quote evaluation and negotiation
  </Card>

  <Card title="AI Features" icon="robot" href="/user-guide/ai-features">
    Understand how AI assists with RFQ drafting
  </Card>
</CardGroup>