Engineering documentation types

Abstract

This chapter identifies and describes various engineering documents that are prepared to produce a product. The task of explaining, specifying, and delineating the features of design, procurement, production, test, operation, and maintenance of a product requires the availability of many types of documents. Simple devices use only a few types. Complex systems require several types. Each type is developed to resolve a specific situation. Selecting the fight type reduces confusion and duplication. Reference documents present technical information which is predominantly in written form. They may or may not include figures, charts, and illustrations. Reference documents are the verbal complement of pictorial data presented on drawings. Reference documents are used to explain details and give instructions which cannot be adequately documented on drawings. Further the chapter defines configuration control and management documents, which explains what is built, what is being built, and what will be built in the future. They also provide data for the location of specific systems to facilitate field retrofits and reworks. Change documents are used to facilitate the processes for revising documentation and subsequently changing the equipment being produced. Change documents establish release and control levels, permit outside functions to request engineering assistance and action, authorize changes by specifying points of introduction and disposition of parts. They also provide instructions for rework and provide tracking of previous configurations.