Shop Drawing Approval Process
Define and enforce a standardized approval chain for all shop drawings, ensuring design integrity, fabrication readiness, and traceability through the entire production lifecycle.
The Shop Drawing Approval Process establishes a clear, auditable workflow for reviewing, marking up, and approving all shop detail drawings before release to the floor. This program eliminates ambiguity, reduces rework, and maintains design intent while ensuring manufacturability.
Each drawing must pass through a minimum of two approval gates — technical review by engineering and verification by production — before it can be stamped "Released for Fabrication." The process integrates with your existing PDM/PLM system and supports both paper-based and digital sign-off workflows.
This procedure applies to all engineering, detailing, and production personnel involved in the creation, review, revision, and release of shop drawings used for fabrication, assembly, and installation. It covers both new part drawings and revision releases. Exemptions are limited to standard stock parts and off-the-shelf components already on the approved vendor list.
- All shop drawings must be submitted through the designated digital folder or PDM workspace. Physical copies are not accepted for formal review.
- Each drawing requires a minimum of two approvals: Engineering Check (technical accuracy) and Production Verification (fabrication feasibility).
- Markups must be made using redline conventions; digital markups shall use revision clouds with a unique change identifier linked to the ECO number.
- Approval turnaround target: 24 business hours for standard drawings, 8 hours for urgent requests (tagged "Hot" by the Production Manager).
- No drawing shall be transferred to the fabrication queue without a completed digital sign-off form stored in the DMS.
- Detailer / Drafter — Creates or updates shop drawings per engineering standards; submits for review; implements redlines.
- Engineering Reviewer — Checks dimensional accuracy, tolerances, material specs, and design intent; approves or marks up.
- Production Verifier — Validates that the drawing can be manufactured using available tooling, gauges, and work instructions; signs off for release.
- Quality Coordinator — Maintains the approval log, audits compliance to cycle times, and ensures all sign-offs are archived.