Dear Meenakshi, For the time being, let me compare your requirement with the indents received by the Purchase Department from all other departments in the manufacturing companies. It is impossible for the purchasing department to keep each and every item in their store. Therefore, to provide the service to the user departments in an organized manner, they prepare a "Lead Time Chart." This chart is revised every year, and they make an exhaustive list of the items enumerating how much time it would take to fulfill their requirements. Depending on the type of material, mode of freight, how far the supplier is located, etc., they decide the time limit for each item. The purchasing department is expected to clear the indents as per the time limits mentioned in the "Lead Time Chart."
Now coming to your case. In your situation, you need to prepare the "Lead Time Chart" for the various types of designs, get it approved by the competent authority, and circulate it to the user departments. Secondly, you need to prepare a "Design Requisition Form" or an "Indent for the Designs." The format of either of the two has to be circulated to the user department. This will bring process clarity to everyone, regardless of the department the employee is working in.
Thanks,
Dinesh Divekar