Site Visit Objectives — Droplet Netherlands

The "why" of this trip — what I need to learn / observe / accomplish.

Primary Objectives

1. Production Process Understanding

• See the actual production flow end-to-end
• Identify steps that are manual vs automated
• Understand bottlenecks and constraints
• Note equipment, software, and tools used
• Document inputs and outputs at each stage

2. Order Processing Flow

• Walk through how an order moves from receipt → fulfillment → shipping
• Map systems involved (Shopify? ERP? WMS?)
• Identify integration points where my work adds value
• Understand exception handling (returns, escalations)

3. Operations & Team Dynamics

• Meet the on-ground team I'll be coordinating with remotely
• Understand decision-making structure
• Build personal rapport (huge for remote work)

4. Tooling & Tech Stack Audit

• Confirm what's actually being used vs what's been mentioned in calls
• Spot tools that could be improved / consolidated / automated
• Note any pain points that surface during observation

Secondary Objectives

• See physical inventory / warehouse setup (if applicable)
• Understand vendor relationships (suppliers, manufacturers, fulfillment partners)
• Get a feel for company culture and leadership style
• Photograph the workspace (with permission) for context
• Identify quick wins I can ship within 2 weeks of returning

Deliverables (After Trip)

• Detailed visit report — what I observed, key insights, surprises
• Updated process documentation in Obsidian
• Prioritized list of automation/improvement opportunities
• Updated Clients/droplet.md with culture + relationship notes
• Photos / diagrams of physical layouts (if relevant + permitted)
• Updated tech stack inventory for Droplet

Success Looks Like

After this trip, I should be able to:

1. Explain Droplet's full production flow to anyone (whiteboard test)
2. Identify the top 3 highest-leverage improvements I can ship
3. Have direct contacts (names, roles, communication preferences) for everyone I'll work with
4. Have built enough trust that future remote work decisions are easier