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Target Condition: May I Take Your Order, Please?

Anyone who has ordered a car knows you don’t just stroll onto the lot, casually mention you want “a red one,” and drive away happy. There’s a process: You sit down with the dealer, pick your make and model, choose your options—engine size, interior trim, transmission type, sunroof—and agree on a price. Then the paperwork starts flying.

Now imagine showing up to that dealership and telling them, “Just give me something green.” You’d get a polite chuckle, maybe a polite sigh, and then a conversation that starts with, “Let’s narrow it down.”

That’s the same conversation a PCB designer has when someone walks in and says, “I need a board layout.” Okay, great. But what kind of board, size, or parts? What’s it supposed to do? I can’t tell you how many times PCB designers are asked to “just get started” as if their time is somehow affordably cheap or of lesser value.

Just like a car, a circuit board layout requires a few essentials before we can put anything into drive. Without clear design constraints, everyone is flying blind, and that’s when costly surprises start piling up, which often result in do-overs, and time-consuming ones at that. Sometimes, these are career-shortening do-overs.

So, what do we need to get started? It really boils down to three simple, non-negotiable items.

Parts List
You wouldn’t spec a V8 engine just by saying “fast motor.” The same goes for components. We need manufacturer part numbers, not nicknames or “that little eight-pin job we always use.” We need real part numbers because part numbers unlock a treasure trove of design data: datasheets, models, schematic symbols, footprints, and pin orientation, which are often verified and ready to drop into the design. These aren’t just helpful. They’re essential.

Not sure if the part exists? A 30-second search using a supply chain tool like Octopart or Ultra Librarian, or even Google, will usually get you what you need. Service providers like Cofactr will show you availability. Let’s face it: Without part numbers, we’re left playing the guessing game, and no one wins that race.

Connectivity
Connectivity is the heart of the design. A schematic is more than just lines and symbols; it’s a story. It tells us how each part is supposed to talk to every other part. Sure, you can sketch something on the back of a napkin, and yes, we’ve seen it before. But a CAD-generated schematic tells us a whole lot more.

A good schematic shows electrical intent, pin assignments, reference designators, part values, and often even hints at placement strategy. It’s your best communication tool. Give us a solid schematic, and we’re off to the races. Hand us a drawing with “connect this to that” scribbled in ballpoint? Well, we’re off to the bar instead.

Board Outline
The board outline is the parking space where all your circuitry will live. Without it, we don’t know where to place components, where to keep out, or how your board fits into the larger system. Whether you’re designing a smartwatch, an avionics module, or a toothbrush with Wi-Fi, everything starts with the mechanical boundary.

A proper outline tells us where to keep in, where to keep out, and where connectors and mounting holes go. Think of it as your design’s property line. Without it, we can’t start building.

Target Condition: Set the Table Before Serving the Meal
There are thousands of options in PCB design, just like there are thousands of trim packages for that Tesla. But no one starts building a car without knowing the basics. We need to know what we’re building before we can even think about how to design it.

Before clicking “send” on that email that asks your layout team to “just get started,” ask yourself:

• Do I have a complete parts list with part numbers?
• Do I have a schematic that accurately reflects what I want built?
• Do I have a mechanical outline that defines the board’s form factor?

If you’ve got all three, we’re in great shape. If you’re missing one—or all—we’re probably still at the dealer, arguing about what “green” really means.

Thank you for your order. We’ll be right with you.

This column originally appeared in the November 2025 issue of Design007 Magazine.