A prototype should be treated as complete for a specific decision only when the available evidence shows that it meets every applicable acceptance criterion. If the relevant criteria are undefined, necessary checks are missing, or unresolved issues remain, its completion status should remain unconfirmed.
What Makes a Prototype Complete?
Completion is a comparison between the prototype and predetermined requirements—not a judgement based only on appearance. ASQ states that a quality control plan may specify product tolerances, testing parameters, and acceptance criteria. A maker can therefore use those stated requirements as the reference for deciding whether a prototype is ready to move forward.
A practical decision rule is straightforward:
- Every applicable requirement has been identified.
- The prototype has been evaluated using relevant checks.
- Available results meet the applicable acceptance criteria.
- No unresolved issue prevents acceptance.
This is a practical decision framework, not a mandatory definition prescribed by ASQ.
How to Check the Evidence
1. Identify the applicable criteria
A maker should locate the quality control plan or an equivalent set of project requirements and identify any stated:
- Product tolerances
- Testing parameters
- Acceptance criteria
The word “may” matters. ASQ does not say that every quality control plan must contain all three elements, so a missing item should not be silently invented or assumed.
2. Confirm how the prototype was evaluated
For evaluating supplier samples, ASQ includes prototyping, lab testing, or validation testing among the available methods. The relevant method depends on the criteria being checked; the source does not state that all three methods are universally required.
3. Compare results with each criterion
Each applicable requirement should be matched with available evidence. A requirement without supporting results remains unverified, even if other parts of the prototype have passed.
A useful record includes:
| Check | Evidence to review | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerance | Measurement or evaluation against the stated tolerance | Met, not met, or unverified |
| Testing parameter | Test result obtained under the stated conditions | Met, not met, or unverified |
| Acceptance criterion | Result compared directly with the criterion | Accepted, not accepted, or unverified |
4. Classify the outcome
If all applicable criteria are supported by acceptable results, the prototype can be considered complete against those criteria. If any criterion is not met or cannot be verified, the appropriate status is incomplete or unconfirmed, with the affected requirement identified.
What the Reader Must Still Confirm
The cited ASQ resources do not provide a universal set of tolerances, test counts, deadlines, fees, or pass thresholds. Those details must come from the requirements governing the particular prototype.
Before declaring completion, a maker still needs to confirm:
- Which tolerances, testing parameters, and acceptance criteria apply.
- Whether the available evaluation method addresses those requirements.
- Whether each result supports the corresponding criterion.
- Whether any failed or missing check prevents acceptance.
Without that confirmation, “complete” is an assumption rather than an evidence-based conclusion.