Managing a product across its lifecycle requires more than one Bill of Materials (BOM). Engineers, manufacturers, sales teams, and service departments each rely on their own version to do the job right. That’s why we’ve created a set of free, downloadable Excel templates for the five most important BOM types: EBOM, MBOM, CBOM, ServBOM, and SBOM. In this guide, you’ll not only get the templates but also learn exactly how to use them to keep your product data organized, reduce errors, and align every team around a single source of truth.
1. Engineering BOM (EBOM)
Purpose: Captures how a product is designed. Created by engineering teams, it reflects the logical design intent rather than how the product will ultimately be manufactured.
When to Use
During the design phase in CAD or PLM systems
For design reviews, prototyping, and design validation
To hand off product definitions to manufacturing
Template Properties to Fill
Part Number: Unique identifier from CAD or PLM system
Part Name: Descriptive name (e.g., “Front Housing”)
Revision: Current design version
Description: Functional or design-related details
Quantity: How many units per assembly
Material: Specified by engineering
Reference Designators (for electronics) or CAD file links (for mechanical
Pro Tips
Keep EBOMs tightly linked to CAD data to avoid inconsistencies.
Use descriptive revisions (e.g., A, B, C) instead of vague “latest” labels.
And engineering BOM defines the product as designed by engineering, directly reflecting the CAD model and design intent.
2. Manufacturing BOM (MBOM)
Purpose: Defines how the product is built in the factory. It differs from the EBOM because it includes process-related items like adhesives, fasteners, and packaging, and it is structured for production sequencing.
When to Use
During production planning and scheduling
For ERP/MRP systems to plan materials and procurement
To standardize assembly processes across factories
Template Properties to Fill
Part Number: Matches purchased parts or in-house components
Operation/Work Center: Which station or process step the part belongs to
Subassemblies: Groups of components arranged in production order
Routing/Instructions: Step-by-step production notes
Pro Tips
Always check MBOM alignment with EBOM. Misalignments are a top source of production errors.
Include packaging items early to avoid last-minute surprises before shipping.
An MBOM translates the design into a buildable structure, including production steps, consumables, and packaging.
3. Configurable BOM (CBOM)
Purpose: Supports products with many possible configurations (e.g., cars, laptops, industrial equipment). Instead of listing one fixed structure, it captures optional modules and rules for valid combinations.
When to Use
In industries with mass customization or “configure-to-order” models
For sales tools, configurators, and ERP integrations
To reduce complexity while supporting multiple variants
Template Properties to Fill
Base Assembly: Core product shared across all variants
Modules/Options: Optional parts or features (e.g., engine size, memory upgrade)
Configuration Rules: Constraints (e.g., “Option A cannot be combined with Option C”)
Pricing Data: Optional, to support sales quoting
SKU Mapping: Links configurations to actual orderable part numbers
Pro Tips
Keep rules machine-readable for configurators (logic statements instead of prose).
Use CBOMs to avoid creating thousands of separate EBOM/MBOM entries for every possible variant.
A CBOM captures product variants and rules for customization, enabling configure-to-order models.
4. Service BOM (ServBOM)
Purpose: Lists only the parts needed for servicing, maintenance, and field repairs. It excludes consumables not relevant outside production but includes spares and replacement kits.
When to Use
For aftermarket support and service manuals
To manage spare parts inventory
To prepare field technicians for maintenance tasks
Template Properties to Fill
Service Part Number: Often different from engineering/manufacturing part numbers
Part Name & Description: With emphasis on field-replaceable items
Replacement Kit IDs: Bundles for field repairs
Service Life/MTBF Data: For preventive maintenance planning
Instructions/Manual Reference: Link to service documentation
Provide exploded diagrams alongside ServBOMs for easier field identification.
ServBOM focuses on spare parts and replaceable items needed for maintenance, repair, and field service.
5. Sales BOM (SBOM)
Purpose: Organizes products as they are sold rather than how they are engineered or manufactured. Typically used by sales and configuration teams to create quotes and orders.
When to Use
In ERP or CPQ (Configure-Price-Quote) systems
For product bundles, kits, or promotions
To translate customer-facing SKUs into internal EBOM/MBOM structures
Template Properties to Fill
Sales Item Number/SKU: Customer-facing identifier
Sales Bundle/Kit: Grouped items sold together (e.g., starter kit)
Pricing & Discounts: Sales-specific data
Cross-References: Links back to EBOM/MBOM items
Customer Description: Simplified product naming for non-technical buyers
Pro Tips
Use SBOMs to align sales language with customer expectations (avoid technical part numbers).
Ensure SBOMs map cleanly to internal MBOM/EBOM structures to prevent fulfillment errors.
SBOM groups items as they are sold, presenting bundles or kits in a customer-friendly format.