Rethinking Test Strategy: New Book Tackles DFT for Today’s Complex Electronics

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

I-Connect007, the leading media source for the electronics manufacturing industry, proudly announces the release of The Printed Circuit Assembler’s Guide to… Design for Test: A Practical Guide to Test and Inspection.

As electronics grow more complex, geometries shrink, and packaging densities increase, traditional testing and inspection methods are no longer sufficient. In this timely new release, industry expert Bert Horner of The Test Connection, Inc. provides a practical roadmap for integrating design for test (DFT) into PCB and CCA development, beginning at schematic capture and layout, rather than treating testing as an afterthought.

This comprehensive guide explores smarter access strategies for today’s high-density designs, including boundary scan, built-in self-test (BIST), flying probe, in-circuit test (ICT), and functional testing. Central to the book is the PCOLA-SOQ framework, a structured, measurable method for evaluating inspection and test coverage at both the component and pin levels.

Horner emphasizes that successful DFT implementation requires technical adjustments and a cultural shift. By making test strategy a shared responsibility across engineering, manufacturing, quality, and leadership, organizations can move from reactive troubleshooting to proactive quality assurance.

“Organized like a practical textbook, this book addresses one of the most persistent challenges in electronics manufacturing—ensuring testability without sacrificing innovation,” said Nolan Johnson, SMT007 managing editor. “Bert Horner provides a clear, actionable framework that enables organizations to embed test strategy early, measure it effectively, and align teams around quality from the start.”

Part of I-Connect007’s trusted Printed Circuit Assembler’s Guide to… series, this latest installment reinforces the company’s commitment to delivering practical, expert-driven resources for today’s electronics professionals.

The Printed Circuit Assembler’s Guide to… Design for Test: A Practical Guide to Test and Inspection is available exclusively through I-Connect007’s Educational Resource Center. Download the book today by visiting iconnect007.com/dft.