PCB Design Review Checklist

This checklist covers the most common things that go wrong in PCB designs based on tracking respin causes and production failures.

Checklist Overview

Review Category	Points	Common Failures	Time Required
Schematic Review	15	Power issues, signal integrity	45-60 min
Layout Review	20	Routing, mechanical, EMC	60-90 min
Manufacturing	7	Fab specs, assembly docs	30-45 min
Final Validation	5	Documentation sync	15-30 min
Total	47	Most common respin causes	2.5-3.5 hours

Schematic Review (Points 1-15)

Power and Ground (Critical)

[ ] 1. Power supply sequencing is correct

• Core voltages come up before I/O voltages
• Enable signals control power-up sequence
• No shoot-through conditions during startup

[ ] 2. All power rails have proper bypass capacitors

• 0.1uF ceramic caps at every IC power pin
• 10uF+ bulk capacitors at power entry points
• Low ESR capacitors for switching regulators

[ ] 3. Ground connections are intentional, not accidental

• Digital and analog grounds properly separated/connected
• No ground loops in sensitive circuits
• Shield connections properly handled

[ ] 4. Power consumption calculations are realistic

• All operating modes accounted for
• Thermal dissipation calculated
• Battery life estimates realistic (if applicable)

[ ] 5. Voltage regulators are properly sized

• 20% minimum headroom on current capacity
• Thermal derating considered
• Input/output voltage ranges verified

Signal Integrity

[ ] 6. High-speed signals have proper termination

• Transmission line impedance calculated
• Termination resistors sized correctly
• Clock signals properly driven

[ ] 7. Crystal/oscillator circuits follow best practices

• Load capacitors correctly sized
• Crystal drive level appropriate
• Ground guard rings provided

[ ] 8. I/O voltage levels are compatible

• 3.3V devices don’t drive 1.8V inputs
• Level shifters included where needed
• Pull-up/pull-down resistors properly sized

[ ] 9. Unused inputs are properly handled

• All inputs either connected or pulled to valid levels
• Unused sections of ICs properly disabled
• No floating CMOS inputs

Component Selection

[ ] 10. All components are available and qualified

• No obsolete or hard-to-source parts
• Second sources identified for critical components
• Automotive/medical grade parts specified if required

[ ] 11. Component packages are manufacturable

• No 0201 components unless absolutely necessary
• BGA parts only if required (and assembly house can handle them)
• Connector pinouts verified against datasheet

[ ] 12. Capacitor voltage ratings have adequate margin

• Minimum 2x voltage derating for ceramics
• Temperature coefficient considered
• DC bias effects accounted for

[ ] 13. Resistor power ratings are adequate

• Minimum 2x power derating
• Pulse power handling considered
• Temperature coefficient appropriate

Design Validation

[ ] 14. Critical timing requirements are met

• Setup and hold times verified
• Clock-to-output delays calculated
• Propagation delays through logic accounted for

[ ] 15. ESD protection is provided where needed

• TVS diodes on external connections
• Series resistors on I/O lines
• ESD protection doesn’t interfere with signal integrity

Layout Review (Points 16-35)

Layer Stackup and Routing

[ ] 16. Layer stackup is optimized for manufacturing

• Even number of layers for warpage control
• Copper weight appropriate for current carrying
• Dielectric thickness standard values

[ ] 17. Trace widths meet current carrying requirements

• 10C rise per IPC-2221 guidelines
• Internal vs external layer derating applied
• Via current capacity considered for high-current paths

[ ] 18. Differential pairs are properly routed

• Matched length within tolerance
• Consistent spacing maintained
• Proper via transitions

[ ] 19. High-speed signals follow routing rules

• Avoid layer changes where possible
• Minimize stubs and discontinuities
• Return path continuity maintained

[ ] 20. Analog circuits are properly isolated

• Sensitive circuits away from switching noise
• Analog power properly filtered
• Kelvin connections for precision measurements

Power Distribution

[ ] 21. Power distribution is robust

• Multiple vias for power connections
• Adequate copper area for current density
• Voltage drop calculations verify performance

[ ] 22. Ground planes are continuous

• No slots or splits under high-speed circuits
• Return current paths are clear
• Thermal relief connections appropriate

[ ] 23. Bypass capacitors are optimally placed

• As close as possible to IC power pins
• Via placement minimizes inductance
• Different value capacitors don’t fight each other

Mechanical Considerations

[ ] 24. Component placement considers mechanical constraints

• Tall components clear enclosure
• Heat-generating components have thermal path
• Connectors accessible and properly oriented

[ ] 25. Board flex and vibration are considered

• Large/heavy components adequately supported
• Board thickness appropriate for span
• Critical circuits away from high-stress areas

[ ] 26. Thermal management is adequate

• Thermal vias under power components
• Copper pour for heat spreading
• Temperature-sensitive components in cool areas

Manufacturing Constraints

[ ] 27. Minimum trace/space rules are followed

• Manufacturing capabilities verified with fab house
• Consistent design rules throughout board
• Soldermask expansion adequate

[ ] 28. Via sizes are manufacturable

• Drill size to finished hole relationship correct
• Aspect ratio within manufacturer capability
• Via-in-pad approach verified if used

[ ] 29. Soldermask and silkscreen are correct

• Component reference designators clear and readable
• Pin 1 indicators on all polarized components
• Revision number and date on silkscreen

Test and Debug

[ ] 30. Test points are provided where needed

• Critical power rails accessible
• High-speed signals have test points where safe
• Test points sized for manufacturing test

[ ] 31. Debug access is maintained

• JTAG/SWD connectors accessible
• Programming interfaces available
• Reset and boot mode pins accessible

[ ] 32. Component orientations are consistent

• Polarized components follow consistent orientation
• IC pin 1 locations clearly marked
• Reduces assembly errors

EMC Considerations

[ ] 33. EMC guidelines are followed

• High-speed traces kept short
• Return paths minimize loop areas
• Shielding provisions included if needed

[ ] 34. I/O filtering is provided

• Ferrite beads on digital I/O
• Common-mode chokes on differential signals
• Power supply filtering adequate

[ ] 35. Cable and connector shielding is considered

• Shield connections properly handled
• 360-degree shield termination where appropriate
• Cable routing away from sensitive circuits

Manufacturing Review (Points 36-42)

Fabrication Requirements

[ ] 36. Gerber files are complete and correct

• All layers included and properly named
• Drill files match via definitions
• Aperture definitions complete

[ ] 37. Board specifications are clearly documented

• Material specifications (FR4 grade, glass style)
• Copper weights for each layer
• Surface finish requirements (HASL, ENIG, etc.)

[ ] 38. Panelization requirements are defined

• Panel size within manufacturing limits
• Fiducials and tooling holes included
• Breakaway tabs or V-scoring specified

Assembly Requirements

[ ] 39. Pick and place files are accurate

• Component positions match layout
• Rotation angles correct for all components
• Polarized components properly oriented

[ ] 40. Bill of materials is complete

• Manufacturer part numbers specified
• Quantity calculations correct
• Alternate parts identified

[ ] 41. Assembly notes address special requirements

• Press-fit connectors installation force
• Heatsink mounting torque specifications
• Special handling for sensitive components

[ ] 42. Stencil design is optimized

• Aperture sizes appropriate for component pitch
• Paste release characteristics considered
• No-populate components excluded

Final Validation (Points 43-47)

Design Documentation

[ ] 43. Schematic and layout are synchronized

• Component values match between schematic and BOM
• Reference designators consistent
• No orphaned components or nets

[ ] 44. Design review sign-off is complete

• Electrical review completed and documented
• Mechanical review completed
• EMC review completed (if applicable)

Manufacturing Readiness

[ ] 45. Supplier quotes obtained and reviewed

• Lead times compatible with project schedule
• Pricing within budget expectations
• Quality certifications verified (if required)

[ ] 46. First article inspection plan is defined

• Critical dimensions identified
• Electrical test plan prepared
• Acceptance criteria established

[ ] 47. Risk mitigation plans are in place

• Component shortage backup plans
• Manufacturing delay contingencies
• Design change procedures established

Industry-Specific Additions

Medical Devices (Add These 5 Points)

[ ] M1. Patient isolation meets IEC 60601 requirements

• 4kV isolation verified in design
• Creepage and clearance distances adequate
• Safety agency approval for isolation components

[ ] M2. Leakage current paths are minimized

• Y-capacitor values appropriate
• Earth ground connections intentional
• Patient-connected circuits properly isolated

[ ] M3. Risk management documentation is complete

• Failure modes analysis conducted
• Single fault safety verified
• Risk controls implemented in design

[ ] M4. Software-controlled safety functions are validated

• Hardware watchdog timers implemented
• Safe states defined for all failure modes
• Software architecture follows IEC 62304

[ ] M5. EMC immunity meets medical standards

• IEC 60601-1-2 requirements considered
• Conducted and radiated immunity designed in
• Essential performance maintained during EMC stress

Automotive (Add These 3 Points)

[ ] A1. Automotive operating conditions are met

• -40C to +125C temperature range
• Automotive-grade components specified
• Load dump and other automotive transients considered

[ ] A2. Functional safety requirements are implemented

• ASIL level requirements met
• Diagnostic coverage adequate
• Fail-safe behaviors defined

[ ] A3. Automotive quality standards are followed

• PPAP documentation requirements planned
• Manufacturing process capability verified
• Long-term availability confirmed

Pre-Manufacturing Final Check

Before releasing your design for manufacturing, perform this final 5-minute sanity check:

1. Power-up sequence: Trace through power-up from cold start
2. Critical signals: Verify your three most important signals have clean paths
3. Component accessibility: Ensure programmable devices can be accessed
4. Manufacturing notes: Confirm special assembly requirements are documented
5. Change control: Verify this is the correct revision being released

Common Failure Points (What This Checklist Prevents)

Power Supply Issues (35% of respins):

• Inadequate bypass capacitors
• Wrong power sequencing
• Insufficient current capacity

Signal Integrity Problems (25% of respins):

• Poor high-speed layout
• Incorrect terminations
• Ground plane issues

Manufacturing Problems (20% of respins):

• Unmanufacturable features
• Component placement errors
• Assembly documentation errors

Component Issues (15% of respins):

• Obsolete or unavailable parts
• Wrong footprints
• Inadequate specifications

EMC Failures (5% of respins):

• Poor grounding strategy
• Inadequate filtering
• Layout radiation issues

When to Use This Checklist

Always Use For:

• First-time designs
• Modified existing designs
• High-volume production
• Safety-critical applications
• Tight schedule projects

Abbreviated Version For:

• Simple modifications to proven designs
• Prototype iterations
• Very low volume applications

Extended Version For:

• Medical device designs
• Automotive applications
• Aerospace/defense projects
• High-reliability applications

The Bottom Line

This 47-point checklist takes 2-3 hours to complete but prevents weeks of delays and thousands of dollars in respin costs.

Note: Don’t just check the boxes. Understand why each item matters for your specific design.

Remember: Every item on this list exists because someone, somewhere, shipped a design without checking it and paid the price. Learn from their mistakes, not your own.