Start with the lanes and the calendar
A delivery program is a set of repeatable moves. Define the origins, the destinations, how often they run, and the windows each end can receive. Programs that start with a calendar get committed capacity; requests that start with 'as needed' get quoted one shipment at a time.
Describe the freight profile, not the SKU list
Partners price handling, not products. Typical piece count, weight, dimensions, packaging, and whether freight is palletized or loose tell a partner which equipment class and crew the program needs.
Checklist
- Piece count and weight per shipment, typical and peak
- Dimensions of the largest piece
- Packaging: pallets, crates, cartons, loose
- Stackable, fragile, or orientation-sensitive freight
Name the delivery point
Curb, dock, threshold, or inside the building are different services. Inside delivery, stair carries, two-person crews, and specialized handling are scoped and priced separately. Stating the delivery point up front is what keeps invoices matching quotes.
Agree how exceptions are handled
Waiting time, missed appointments, refused freight, and after-hours changes will happen. A mature partner defines how each is communicated and priced before the program starts, then records every exception against the shipment.