Process sequence design in sheet metal forming process by the finite element method is investigated. The forming of sheet metal into a washing machine container is used to demonstrate the design of an improved process sequence which has fewer operations. The design procedure makes extensive use of the finite element method which has simulation capabilities of elastic-plastic modeling. A one-stage process to make an initial blank to the final product is simulated to obtain information on metal flow requirements. Loading simulation for a conventional method is also performed to evaluate the design criteria which are uniform thickness distribution around the finished part and maximum punch load within limit of available press capacity. The newly designed sequence has two forming operations and can achieve net-shape manufacturing, while the conventional process sequence has three forming operations. This specific case conventional process sequence has three forming operations. This specific case can be considered for application of the method and for development of the sequence design methodology in general.