Behind every stable hardware project are three quiet documents that do the heavy lifting.
This snapshot shows where most teams discover gaps long before the lab does.
Checkpoint 1
Product Requirements (PRD)
Defines what the product must do and under which conditions.
When this is vague, every downstream estimate becomes a guess.
Checkpoint 2
Statement of Work (SOW)
Aligns tasks, milestones, and responsibilities.
If this doesn’t match reality, schedules slip quietly until they don’t.
Checkpoint 3
Formal Quote
Locks in scope, cost, and assumptions.
The quote only works when it’s built on a solid PRD and SOW.