Prior to starting any PCB project or revision, this scope template should be completed and reviewed by the electrical team leads in order to ensure everyone understands what is required for the PCB and to avoid any miscommunication between members, the team leads, and the other sub-teams.

Here is a great example of a filled-out scope template: BLDC Gate Driver Breakout

Main purpose(s) of the board:

• List at a high level what the exact purpose of the board is - what are you trying to achieve with this board?

Criteria & constraints of the board:

• What are the specific must-haves for the board?

  • Specific sensors, circuits, connections to other boards/modules, etc.

• What communication protocols will the board use? What will it communicate with?

• Is a microcontroller necessary? What would it be needed for?

• What’s the expected power for this board? What voltage level will be used for the signals and logic?

  • Will there need to be on-board voltage conversion or level-shifting?

Who is involved with this board?

• Indicate who is the designer and if any other members are supporting the design of the board

• List who would be involved from each sub-team (electrical, mechanical, software, firmware). If a specific person has yet to be determined, explain what kind of support would be needed from the sub-team and stay synced with the sub-team’s lead

• Clarify what each person’s role is