I grew up in production pottery and own one now.
I learned to work off a production sheet that has a line drawing with all the needed. I have a sheet made for everything I mass produce on the wheel. Only part of the items I make I need the sheets on as I mass produce a lot of the same stuff.
I watch a lot of YouTube to get ideas before I sit down to do something new. I'll make a production sheet after I make a few of something.