Version control for PCB projects in PCB Design - Real Business Scenario

Scenario Mode

👤 Your Role: You are a PCB design engineer at an electronics manufacturing company.

📋 Request: Your manager wants a report showing how PCB project versions have changed over time, highlighting the number of changes per version and identifying the most active projects.

📊 Data: You have a dataset listing PCB projects with their version numbers, dates of version release, and the count of changes made in each version.

🎯 Deliverable: Create a dashboard that shows version history trends per project, total changes per project, and highlights the project with the most changes.

Sample Data

Project	Version	Release Date	Number of Changes
AlphaBoard	v1.0	2023-01-15	5
AlphaBoard	v1.1	2023-02-10	3
AlphaBoard	v2.0	2023-04-05	8
BetaCircuit	v1.0	2023-01-20	4
BetaCircuit	v1.2	2023-03-15	6
BetaCircuit	v2.0	2023-05-01	7
GammaChip	v1.0	2023-02-01	2
GammaChip	v1.1	2023-03-10	3
GammaChip	v1.2	2023-04-20	1

1

Step 1: Import the PCB version data into your BI tool.

Load the table with columns: Project, Version, Release Date, Number of Changes.

Expected Result

Data table with 9 rows loaded correctly.

2

Step 2: Create a line chart to show the number of changes over time for each project.

X-axis: Release Date; Y-axis: Number of Changes; Legend: Project.

Expected Result

Line chart showing change trends per project over release dates.

3

Step 3: Create a calculated measure to sum total changes per project.

Total Changes = SUM('Table'[Number of Changes]) grouped by Project.

Expected Result

Measure that shows total changes for each project.

4

Step 4: Create a bar chart showing total changes per project.

X-axis: Project; Y-axis: Total Changes measure.

Expected Result

Bar chart showing total changes for AlphaBoard, BetaCircuit, and GammaChip.

5

Step 5: Highlight the project with the highest total changes in the dashboard.

Identify project with MAX(Total Changes).

Expected Result

BetaCircuit is highlighted as the project with the most changes.

Final Result

#########

↓

###########

↓

###

✓BetaCircuit has the highest total number of changes (17) across versions.

✓AlphaBoard shows steady increase in changes with major jump at version 2.0.

✓GammaChip has fewer changes and smaller version updates.

Bonus Challenge

Add a filter to the dashboard to select a specific project and see its detailed version history and changes.

Show Hint

Use a slicer or dropdown filter on the Project field to dynamically update the charts.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of using version control in PCB projects?

easy

A. To improve the electrical performance of the PCB

B. To increase the speed of PCB manufacturing

C. To reduce the cost of PCB components

D. To track changes and manage different versions of PCB designs

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand version control basics

   Version control systems keep track of changes made to files over time.

2. Step 2: Apply to PCB projects

   In PCB design, version control helps manage different design iterations and collaborate safely.

3. Final Answer:

   To track changes and manage different versions of PCB designs -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Version control = Track changes [OK]

Hint: Version control means tracking changes over time [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing version control with manufacturing speed
• Thinking it reduces component cost
• Assuming it improves electrical performance directly

2. Which of the following is the correct command to commit changes in a Git-based version control system for PCB files?

easy

A. git push -m "Update PCB layout"

B. git commit -m "Update PCB layout"

C. git add -m "Update PCB layout"

D. git merge -m "Update PCB layout"

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify the commit command

   The command to save changes with a message is git commit -m "message".

2. Step 2: Check other commands

   git push uploads commits, git add stages files, git merge combines branches.

3. Final Answer:

   git commit -m "Update PCB layout" -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Commit = git commit -m [OK]

Hint: Commit changes uses 'git commit -m' with a message [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using git push instead of git commit for saving changes
• Adding -m flag to git add which doesn't accept it
• Confusing merge with commit

3. Given the following Git commands executed in order for a PCB project:

git add design_v1.kicad_pcb
git commit -m "Initial design"
git checkout -b feature_update
git add design_v2.kicad_pcb
git commit -m "Update design"
git checkout main
git merge feature_update

What will be the state of the main branch after the merge?

medium

A. It will contain both design_v1.kicad_pcb and design_v2.kicad_pcb changes

B. It will only have design_v1.kicad_pcb changes

C. It will only have design_v2.kicad_pcb changes

D. It will be empty with no design files

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze branch creation and commits

   The feature_update branch adds design_v2.kicad_pcb and commits it separately from main.

2. Step 2: Understand merge effect

   Merging feature_update into main brings design_v2.kicad_pcb changes into main, keeping design_v1.kicad_pcb too.

3. Final Answer:

   It will contain both design_v1.kicad_pcb and design_v2.kicad_pcb changes -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Merge combines changes from both branches [OK]

Hint: Merge adds feature branch changes to main branch [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking merge replaces main branch content
• Assuming only feature branch files remain
• Ignoring initial commit on main branch

4. You tried to commit changes to your PCB project but got this error:
error: pathspec 'design_v3.kicad_pcb' did not match any files
What is the most likely cause?

medium

A. The Git repository is corrupted

B. The commit message is missing

C. The file design_v3.kicad_pcb was not added to staging area

D. You are on the wrong branch

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the error message

   The error says the file path was not found in the staging area for commit.

2. Step 2: Identify missing step

   Files must be added with git add before committing.

3. Final Answer:

   The file design_v3.kicad_pcb was not added to staging area -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   File must be staged before commit [OK]

Hint: Add files with git add before committing [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming commit message is the cause
• Thinking repository is corrupted
• Believing branch affects file staging

5. You want to keep track of multiple PCB design versions and collaborate with your team. Which combination of version control practices is best to ensure safe collaboration and clear history?

hard

A. Use branches for features, commit often with clear messages, and merge with pull requests

B. Commit only once after all changes, avoid branches, and overwrite files directly

C. Use branches but never merge, keep all changes in separate branches

D. Avoid committing frequently and share files via email instead

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify best collaboration practices

   Using branches allows isolated work; frequent commits with messages track progress.

2. Step 2: Understand merging and pull requests

   Merging with pull requests reviews changes before integration, preventing conflicts.

3. Final Answer:

   Use branches for features, commit often with clear messages, and merge with pull requests -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Branches + commits + pull requests = safe collaboration [OK]

Hint: Branch, commit often, merge with pull requests [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Committing only once losing history
• Avoiding merges causing isolated work
• Sharing files outside version control