Production Restart Checklist: What Leaders in Each Department Need to Do First Following a Shutdown

Coordination, collaboration, and constant communication between leaders will be critical to making your restart a success.

If your business is about to come online after a mandated shutdown, one of the biggest challenges you face is not knowing exactly what you face. Your customers and suppliers have likely been shut down as well, and they probably won’t ramp up again at exactly the same pace as you do. New safety practices and their impact on your workforce also need to be considered. In short, your first few weeks are going to be an adjustment process. Remaining flexible and keeping communication lines open between everyone on your leadership team are absolute musts.

In this new article, we provide advice on how to bring your team together and create a working plan for executing effectively during your first few months back in business.

Download the article on restarting manufacturing operations for insight into how your leaders can:

Determine short term demand and adjust to a manufacture-to-order mindset
Evaluate changes to your supplier base and rethink inventory mix
Establish a realistic ramp-up schedule and hourly targets that factor in employee safety
Create an equipment start-up checklist and plan for needed repairs
Implement safe working policies and ensure the facility is ready to welcome back employees

Download Checklist →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the biggest challenge manufacturers face when restarting operations after COVID‑19 shutdowns?

One of the biggest challenges is uncertainty. Customers, suppliers, and staffing levels often do not recover at the same pace, making early demand, supply, and capacity assumptions unreliable. Manufacturing leaders must remain flexible, coordinate closely across functions, and maintain constant communication as they adjust to evolving conditions during the first weeks back in operation.

What demand and supply considerations should leaders prioritize during a restart?

Leaders should focus on determining short‑term demand and shifting toward a manufacture‑to‑order mindset where appropriate. Evaluating changes to the supplier base, reassessing inventory levels, and rethinking the inventory mix are critical as supply chains may be disrupted or constrained. These steps help align production plans with real‑time market conditions rather than pre‑shutdown assumptions.

What operational and safety steps are essential before bringing employees back on site?

Before restarting production, leaders need a realistic ramp‑up plan that includes hourly targets adjusted for employee safety and new working policies. Equipment start‑up checklists should be completed to identify repairs or maintenance needs after downtime. Facilities must also be prepared with safe working practices, ensuring the workplace is ready to welcome employees back while protecting their health and supporting a productive return to work.

Meet the Expert

Bill Remy

Chief Executive Officer & Board MemberEmail Bill

Bill Remy is the CEO of TBM Consulting Group and serves on the TBM Board of Directors. His career expertise includes deep knowledge of operational performance improvement, site transitions, acquisition integration, new product development and supply chain management.