How do you deal with BOM variant changes and updates?

2 Define and document your BOM variants

Another important step is to define and document your BOM variants clearly and consistently. You should have a naming convention, a classification system, and a description for each variant that explains its purpose, scope, and specifications. You should also have a standard template or format for your BOM variants that includes all the relevant attributes, such as part number, quantity, unit of measure, cost, supplier, and reference designator. This will help you to identify, compare, and communicate your BOM variants effectively.

3 Use a modular approach

A modular approach means that you design your product in such a way that it can be easily configured and customized with different components or sub-assemblies. This reduces the number of BOM variants you need to create and manage, and simplifies the change and update process. For example, you can use a common base model for your product, and then add or remove optional modules or features depending on the market or customer needs. This will also help you to optimize your inventory, production, and delivery.

5 Review and audit your BOM variants regularly

Finally, you should review and audit your BOM variants regularly to verify their accuracy, completeness, and compliance. You should check for any errors, inconsistencies, or discrepancies between your BOM variants and your actual product, your CAD files, your ERP system, or your customer specifications. You should also check for any obsolete, redundant, or unnecessary parts or materials in your BOM variants, and remove or replace them as needed. This will help you to improve your product quality, cost, and performance.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?