Bill of Materials

What is a Bill of Materials (BOM)?

A bill of materials (BoM or BOM) is an extensive list of raw materials, components and assemblies required to build, manufacture, or repair a product or service. A bill of materials will often list the finished product at the top, followed by individual components or materials that make up that product. Engineering BOMs are used in the design process, while manufacturing BOMs are used for an assembly process.

Tips on Creating a Bill of Materials:

Below are some best practices to help you make progress in the right direction.

• Define a clear structure: Create a consistent BoM structure and format that reflects your product and process. This structure defines the hierarchy and relationships between the parts and assemblies.
• Tailor the BoM to Project/Build needs: The categories listed in this template might have too much information or not enough for your specific project. Add/delete based on preferences.
• Implement change management: Have a formal process for managing changes to the BoM, such as adding, removing, or modifying components. This process should include clear documentation, approvals, and communication to all stakeholders.
• Standardize naming conventions: Establish a clear and consistent naming convention for all components in the BoM. This can simplify communication, minimize errors, and facilitate collaboration.
• Limit access: It might be beneficial to limit editing access to the BoM to reduce human error and accidental edits by members of your team.