Design review checklist in PCB Design - Dashboard Guide

Dashboard Mode - Design review checklist

Dashboard Goal

This dashboard helps PCB designers and reviewers quickly check the status of design review items to ensure quality and completeness before manufacturing.

Sample Data

Checklist Item	Status	Assigned To	Priority	Comments
Component Placement	Complete	Alice	High	All critical parts placed
Routing Check	In Progress	Bob	High	Some nets need rerouting
DRC Errors	Complete	Charlie	High	No errors found
Silkscreen Review	Pending	Alice	Medium	Waiting for final approval
Gerber Files	Pending	Bob	High	Not generated yet
Thermal Analysis	Complete	Charlie	Medium	Passed all tests
Design Rule Updates	In Progress	Alice	Low	Minor updates ongoing

Dashboard Components

• KPI Card: Total Items
  Formula: Count of all checklist items = 7
• KPI Card: Completed Items
  Formula: Count where Status = 'Complete' = 3
• KPI Card: Pending Items
  Formula: Count where Status = 'Pending' = 2
• Bar Chart: Items by Status
  Formula: Count of items grouped by Status
  Data: Complete=3, In Progress=2, Pending=2
• Table: Detailed Checklist
  Shows all columns from sample data for review

Dashboard Layout

+----------------------+----------------------+----------------------+
| Total Items (7)      | Completed Items (3)  | Pending Items (2)    |
+----------------------+----------------------+----------------------+
|                      Bar Chart: Items by Status               |
|                      (Complete, In Progress, Pending)        |
+--------------------------------------------------------------+
|                      Detailed Checklist Table                |
+--------------------------------------------------------------+

Interactivity

Filter by Status or Assigned To updates the bar chart and detailed checklist table. KPI cards update counts accordingly.

Example: Selecting Status = 'Pending' filters the table to only pending items and updates KPIs to show total and completed counts for that filter.

Self Check

If you add a filter for Assigned To = Alice, which components update?

• KPI Cards update to show counts for Alice's items (Total: 3, Completed: 1, Pending: 1)
• Bar Chart updates to show status counts for Alice's items
• Detailed Checklist Table shows only rows assigned to Alice

Key Result

A PCB design review checklist dashboard showing item status counts, progress, and detailed review data.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of a design review checklist in PCB design?

easy

A. To ensure the PCB design meets quality and readiness standards

B. To create the PCB layout automatically

C. To write the firmware for the PCB

D. To order components from suppliers

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the role of a design review checklist

   A design review checklist is used to verify that all aspects of the PCB design are correct and ready for production.

2. Step 2: Identify the main goal

   The checklist helps catch errors early and ensures quality and readiness before manufacturing.

3. Final Answer:

   To ensure the PCB design meets quality and readiness standards -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Design review checklist = quality and readiness check [OK]

Hint: Check if the option talks about quality and readiness [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing checklist with design automation
• Thinking checklist writes code
• Assuming checklist orders parts

2. Which item should NOT be included in a PCB design review checklist?

easy

A. Schematic verification

B. Electrical rule check

C. Writing marketing content

D. Component placement review

Solution

1. Step 1: List typical checklist items

   Common checklist items include schematic checks, component placement, and electrical rules.

2. Step 2: Identify unrelated tasks

   Writing marketing content is unrelated to PCB design review and should not be included.

3. Final Answer:

   Writing marketing content -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Marketing content is unrelated to PCB design [OK]

Hint: Pick the option unrelated to PCB technical checks [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Including non-technical tasks in checklist
• Confusing marketing with design review
• Ignoring electrical checks

3. Given a checklist with these steps:
1. Verify schematic
2. Check component placement
3. Run electrical rule check
4. Confirm mechanical fit
What is the expected result if step 3 fails?

medium

A. Errors in electrical connections must be fixed

B. The PCB is ready for manufacturing

C. Mechanical parts need redesign

D. Schematic needs no changes

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand electrical rule check failure

   If the electrical rule check fails, it means there are errors in the electrical connections or design rules.

2. Step 2: Determine next action

   These errors must be fixed before proceeding to manufacturing to avoid faulty PCBs.

3. Final Answer:

   Errors in electrical connections must be fixed -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Electrical rule check fail = fix electrical errors [OK]

Hint: Failing electrical check means fix electrical errors [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming PCB is ready despite errors
• Confusing mechanical fit with electrical errors
• Ignoring the need to fix schematic

4. A PCB design review checklist includes a step to check component footprints. The designer notices footprints do not match the datasheet but ignores it. What is the likely problem?

medium

A. The PCB will function perfectly

B. The components may not fit or solder correctly

C. The schematic is incorrect

D. The mechanical enclosure is too small

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand footprint importance

   Footprints define the physical pad layout for components on PCB.

2. Step 2: Consequences of incorrect footprints

   If footprints don't match datasheet, components may not fit or solder properly, causing assembly issues.

3. Final Answer:

   The components may not fit or solder correctly -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Wrong footprint = fit and solder problems [OK]

Hint: Mismatch footprint means physical fit issues [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Ignoring footprint errors
• Confusing schematic errors with footprint issues
• Assuming mechanical enclosure fixes footprint problems

5. You are preparing a design review checklist for a complex PCB project. Which combination of checks best ensures both electrical and mechanical readiness before production?

hard

A. Component placement, electrical rule check, software debugging, mechanical fit check

B. Schematic verification, firmware testing, component placement, packaging design

C. Electrical rule check, marketing review, mechanical fit check, documentation writing

D. Schematic verification, electrical rule check, component placement, mechanical fit check

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify essential electrical checks

   Schematic verification and electrical rule check ensure the circuit is correct and follows design rules.

2. Step 2: Identify essential mechanical checks

   Component placement and mechanical fit check ensure parts fit physically and the PCB fits the enclosure.

3. Step 3: Evaluate options

   Schematic verification, electrical rule check, component placement, mechanical fit check includes all key electrical and mechanical checks. Other options include unrelated tasks like firmware, marketing, or software debugging.

4. Final Answer:

   Schematic verification, electrical rule check, component placement, mechanical fit check -> Option D

5. Quick Check:

   Electrical + mechanical checks = Schematic verification, electrical rule check, component placement, mechanical fit check [OK]

Hint: Pick option with both electrical and mechanical checks only [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Including unrelated tasks like marketing or software debugging
• Missing key electrical or mechanical checks
• Confusing firmware testing with design review