Gate readiness checklist (EVT, DVT, PVT)

The questions to answer before you pass a gate, with a section for each phase.

For every gate

• The decision is based on evidence (test results, measurements), not opinion.
• Every open issue has an owner, a plan, a date and an estimate of what it costs if deferred to the next phase.
• No critical issue is open.
• "We feel behind" and "we are genuinely ready" have been discussed as separate questions.
• The cost and schedule of holding the gate (for example a two-week extension) is written next to the cost of passing it.
• The decision, who made it and why is recorded.

EVT gate · does the design work?

• Every issue found has been triaged to the team that owns it.
• Interface issues (problems between two teams) are identified and have both owners.
• A cross-team review has been held to surface the "that is not my problem" issues.
• Critical issues are fixed and re-tested on hardware.
• High issues have a plan that an owner stands behind.
• Requirements are verified or have a dated plan to be verified.

DVT gate · does it pass?

• Tooling was released on evidence and the evidence is on file.
• Certification and reliability tests are complete, or their remaining slots are booked and the risk is stated.
• Action items are closed on hardware, not just in the tracker.
• The sample run was built with production-intent parts and process.
• Any change since certification has been checked for a re-test.
• Sourcing is confirmed for volume, with single-source parts listed and mitigated.

PVT gate · can we build it?

• The readiness check (line, fixtures, parts, trained operators) was passed before the pilot started.
• The pilot run met target yield, with defects and rework recorded.
• Stress testing (such as HALT) has shown where the weak points are, and the limits are understood.
• Process validation is done for every critical step, not just the ones that were easy to measure.
• Open issues are quantified in euros and weeks at production prices.
• The factory has signed off its own process, in writing.

Why: the book's worked example is a team that passes the DVT gate with two open issues that are "probably fine", declines a two-week extension, and pays five times as much in PVT, where there is no buffer left. The extension is the economically rational choice.

From The Hardest Hardware Lessons · thehardesthardwarelessons.com · Free to use and share with attribution.