It’s not difficult to ensure that the many properties that go into a system like using a Project Custom Reference Library (PCRL) can be maintained even being proliferated among a group of layout designers. Whatever the methodology focus or purpose of standards, you as a manager, supervisor and/or project leader just have to set guidelines, take the time to review layout and then enforced rules.

One of the keys to enforcing the rules and following them is understanding the purpose of doing it and the consequences of not doing it.

Additionally, people generally do not want to repeatedly repair their layout if they are not adhering to the department or project standards. That is often the best motivation to get with the program.

Enforcement requires communication, before problems occur and in the review process. Although custom layout is sometimes treated like an artists’ faire, we really do not want everyone to recreate the wheel and thereby waste company resources and sabotage layout quality objectives.

It is for these reasons, a newly hired layout designer, despite his or her background experience, should seek to understand the new department’s methodology. Management should provide as much training and attention as necessary to ensure a proper implementation of department’s methodology.

Methodology is one of the wheels that keep everyone rolling along in the right direction.

Experienced feedback should be welcome to improve methodology, though the purposes of any given ‘standard’ should be clearly explained.

I used to often say, “Layout standards are important, but there are always exceptions to the standard.” As you get more experience you learn what those exceptions are. However, the exceptions, like a Lessons Learned, should be part of a rigorous training discipline so that everyone benefits.

Standards can be a bit broad and subjective, some can dictate varying aspects of the layout. Standards can include the following (and more) such as flexibility built into the layout for changes either at the pre-tapeout or in post-tapeout mask change stage, practical aesthetics, naming conventions, analog matching, file management and structure, tool features, usage or agreed upon limits, when to ask for help, just to name a few, but they can also be dictated or influenced by the experience levels of the team members, supervisor or manager and their comprehension of the company objectives.

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