| Assembly Capabilities | Whether the partner can support the required processes, such as surface-mount technology (SMT), through-hole assembly, mixed-technology assembly, and final product integration. | Process overview, equipment list, representative capability data, and examples of comparable product complexity. | Which assembly processes are performed in-house, and which are subcontracted? |
| Engineering and DFM Support | Ability to review design files and identify manufacturability, assembly, testability, or component-sourcing risks before production. | Documented design-review workflow, sample feedback, and records showing how design issues are tracked to closure. | How are design changes, component substitutions, and engineering approvals controlled? |
| Quality Management | Documented inspection and corrective-action processes across incoming materials, production, and finished goods. ISO 9001 certification can be checked for scope and current validity. | Current certificate where applicable, quality procedures, example inspection records, and corrective-action reports with confidential details removed. | How are defects investigated, corrective actions verified, and recurring issues prevented? |
| Process and Product Inspection | Inspection methods appropriate to the product, which may include solder-paste inspection, automated optical inspection, X-ray inspection, and functional testing. | Inspection plan, test coverage details, equipment calibration records, and sample test reports. | Which inspections are used for this product, and what happens when a unit fails? |
| Component Sourcing and Traceability | Controls for approved suppliers, component authenticity, lot identification, and traceability from incoming materials to finished assemblies. | Purchasing controls, supplier-approval process, lot-traceability examples, and material documentation relevant to the product. | Can a finished assembly be traced to its component lots and production records? |
| ESD and Production Controls | Protection of electrostatic-discharge-sensitive devices and consistent control of production conditions and work instructions. | ESD control procedures, training records, verification records, and relevant work instructions. IEC 61340-5-1 is a recognized standard for ESD control programs. | How are ESD controls maintained, monitored, and documented on the production floor? |
| Capacity and Lead-Time Planning | Whether available production capacity, component availability, and planning processes align with forecast demand and required delivery dates. | Capacity-planning approach, production schedule examples, and a clear breakdown of material, production, and shipping lead times. | How are shortages, schedule changes, and urgent order requests communicated? |
| Compliance and Material Requirements | Ability to meet the buyer's applicable market, product, and material requirements. RoHS and REACH obligations depend on product scope and applicable regulations. | Declarations or test documentation applicable to the product, material records, and a defined process for handling compliance changes. | Which compliance documents can be supplied for the exact assembly and its materials? |
| Communication and Change Control | Clarity of technical communication, ownership of open issues, document revision control, and approval of changes before implementation. | Escalation process, change-control procedure, meeting or status-report format, and examples of revision-controlled documents. | Who approves changes to the bill of materials, process, test plan, or production site? |
| Commercial and Delivery Risk | Transparency of quotation assumptions, tooling and test costs, payment terms, shipping responsibilities, and contingency planning. | Itemized quotation, stated assumptions and exclusions, delivery terms, and documented risk-mitigation options. | Which costs or lead-time assumptions could change after order placement? |
| On-Site or Remote Verification | Whether the buyer can verify processes, records, and production controls before committing to larger-scale production. | Audit access, a structured assessment checklist, sample-build results, and an agreed corrective-action plan for any findings. | Can the partner support a process audit and a controlled pilot build before volume production? |