# Electronics BOM Scrub Checklist Before You Buy

> Source: https://netray.co/tools/electronics-bom-scrub-checklist
> Publisher: Netray (netray.co), AI and integration engineering for ERP and manufacturing systems.
> Section: Free Tools

## Short answer

A grouped checklist for scrubbing an electronics BOM before RFQ or release: data integrity, sourcing, lifecycle, compliance and assembly readiness.

## Category

engineering-plm

## Industry

Electronics Manufacturing

## Audience

- Component engineer
- Electronics buyer
- NPI engineer
- Manufacturing engineer

## Tool

**Kind:** checklist

**Groups:**

#### BOM data integrity

**Items:**

**Text:** Every line has a unique internal part number and a revision

**Critical:** true

**Text:** Manufacturer and manufacturer part number (MPN) are present on every purchased line

**Critical:** true

**Text:** Quantity per matches the count of reference designators on each line

**Critical:** true

**Text:** No duplicate reference designators across lines

**Critical:** true

Reference designators match the schematic and PCB layout

Units of measure are consistent (EA, M, ML) and stated

Descriptions are consistent and include value, tolerance, package and rating

Do-not-populate and optional lines are clearly marked

#### Part specification

**Items:**

**Text:** Passive values, tolerance, voltage, power rating and dielectric or temperature coefficient are stated

**Critical:** true

**Text:** Package or footprint on the BOM matches the PCB land pattern

**Critical:** true

Polarized parts are identified and orientation is documented

Temperature grade fits the application (commercial, industrial, automotive, military)

**Text:** Moisture sensitivity level is recorded for each active device

**Critical:** true

Pb-free finish and reflow peak temperature are compatible with the process

ESD sensitivity class is noted where it matters

#### Sourcing and approval

**Items:**

**Text:** Each line has at least one approved source on the AVL or AML

**Critical:** true

Approved alternates are listed with engineering approval and date

Single-source and sole-source lines are flagged

Minimum order quantities and reel sizes are checked against build quantities

**Text:** Current lead times are collected for every purchased line

**Critical:** true

Authorized distributor or direct sourcing is confirmed for critical parts

Customer-directed or consigned parts are identified and labeled

#### Lifecycle and risk

**Items:**

**Text:** Lifecycle status is checked for every active line (Active, NRND, EOL, Obsolete)

**Critical:** true

**Text:** Open PCNs and PDNs are reviewed and responded to

**Critical:** true

Last time buy dates are recorded for lines with discontinuance notices

Parts with a long lead time have a buy or buffer plan

Counterfeit risk is assessed for any parts bought outside authorized channels

#### Compliance

**Items:**

**Text:** RoHS and REACH declarations are on file for each part

**Critical:** true

Conflict minerals data is collected where required by customer or regulation

Export control classification and country of origin are recorded where applicable

Customer flowdowns (such as banned parts or origin restrictions) are applied to the BOM

#### Assembly and release readiness

**Items:**

**Text:** Approved BOM revision matches the gerber, assembly drawing and pick and place file

**Critical:** true

Mechanical parts, labels, hardware and consumables are on the BOM, not just electronics

Solder paste, adhesives and other process materials are specified

BOM is loaded to ERP as the correct revision and effectivity

Costed BOM is reviewed against target before RFQ release

**Scoring Note:** Every critical item should be checked before RFQ or production release. A BOM with unchecked critical items is not ready to buy against.

## Content

**Intro:** Most electronics shortages and rework begin as BOM data problems: a missing MPN, a quantity that disagrees with the reference designators, an obsolete part nobody checked. This checklist walks the BOM in six passes before you send it for quote or release it to production.

**Sections:**

#### How to use the checklist

**Body:** Work through the groups in order. Start with data integrity because errors there make later checks unreliable. Then check specifications, sourcing, lifecycle, compliance and assembly readiness. Tick items as you complete them and export the result to PDF to attach to the NPI or ECO record. Items marked critical should be resolved before RFQ. Run the scrub again whenever the design revision changes, not just at first release.

#### What a thorough scrub catches

**Body:** Reference designator reconciliation is the highest value check: compare the number of designators on each line to the quantity per, and look for the same designator on two lines or a designator missing entirely. Next, verify that the footprint and package agree, since a 0603 on the BOM and a 0402 land pattern cause real board scrap. Lifecycle and PCN checks prevent building around a part that will not be there at the next order. Compliance records collected now avoid a rush when a customer asks for them.

**Bullets:**

- Sort by reference designator to spot gaps and duplicates.
- Compare BOM counts to the pick and place file.
- Check polarized parts against the assembly drawing.

#### Common mistakes and ERP notes

**Body:** Frequent errors include copying a legacy BOM without updating alternates, pasting a spreadsheet with merged cells that break import, and leaving the mechanical bill outside the ERP structure. Keep a single source of truth and control changes through ECOs. When loading to ERP, set effectivity dates and confirm phantom, reference and non-stock flags so MRP does not plan unneeded parts. Capture the manufacturer part number on a separate manufacturer part record, not only in the description field.

**Cta:** If BOM checks against lifecycle, AVL and lead time data are manual in your team, we can discuss automating the comparison read-only over your ERP and PLM data.

**Faq:**

#### What is a BOM scrub?

**Answer:** A BOM scrub is a structured review of a bill of materials for completeness, consistency, sourceability and risk before quoting or releasing to production. It covers data quality, part specifications, approved sources, lifecycle status and compliance data.

#### Who should perform the BOM scrub?

**Answer:** Ideally a component or NPI engineer with a buyer. Engineering knows the design intent, and purchasing knows availability, lead times and approved sources. For contract manufacturers, the CM engineering team often runs it as part of the quote.

#### Why check reference designators against quantities?

**Answer:** A mismatch means either a part is missing from the build or the BOM overstates the need. Reference designators tie each line to board locations, so reconciling them catches errors that would otherwise show up as shortages or wrong assemblies.

#### How often should I repeat the scrub?

**Answer:** At each design revision, before each large buy and at least periodically for long-running products, since lifecycle status and lead times change. A quarterly check of the lifecycle and PCN groups is a reasonable minimum for active products.

## Search terms

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