[Lil' Lavery]

It all depends on your resources. If you're on a tight budget, order what you'll know you need ahead of time, and then make other orders as soon as you need a part. Determine what resources you have left over from last year, and if you want to re-use any of your electrical components from your previous robots (namely the RoboRio, power distribution board, speed controllers, or voltage regulator module).

Have enough raw material and hardware on hand to be ready to prototype right away. For prototyping, typically that can be some plywood, 2x4s, and wood screws.

If you have a bit more resources, buy yourself a new set of electronics and make educated guesses as to what you'll be using in the build season. We always place orders with Vex, AndyMark, and McMaster during the pre-season at the very least. We stock on up on electronics, wire, raw aluminum, polycarbonate, fasteners, shafts, bearings, gears, sprockets, VersaPlanetaries, and WCP SS gearboxes. We also take inventory of our tools and see what could use replacements.