A BOM, or “bill of materials”, is a document used in the manufacturing and engineering processes that outlines every item and product needed for production. Think of it like a shopping list for everything your business needs to build its products. BOMs help to track the quantity, size, cost, and other key characteristics of components and raw materials used in production. They also assist in providing product traceability from raw material to finished product—an invaluable tool when tracking down sources of production problems or conducting quality control tests! Ultimately, BOMs provide businesses with an efficient way to determine the scope of their projects, identify resources needed and organize supplies into categories that suit the manufacturer’s needs.