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AUGUST 2025 I DESIGN007 MAGAZINE 11 Does the Floor Planning Process Differ Across EDA Tools? The short answer is no. Good floor planning prac- tices are not dependent on the EDA tools used. Whether a designer is using sophisticated soft- ware or cutting out paper blocks for component placement, the principles of floor planning remain the same. The key is to focus on component place- ment, routing efficiency, and signal integrity, rather than the tools themselves. Advice for PCB Designers While large PCB designs can be overwhelming at first, good designers take the process step by step and trust that the process will lead to success. Learning and adapting are key parts of the design process, and it's important to be open to modifying the process to fit personal or team needs. Conclusion Floor planning is a crucial step in the PCB design process that can significantly impact the perfor- mance and manufacturability of the final prod- uct. By carefully consider- ing factors like compo- nent placement, sig- nal routing, and mechanical con- straints, design- ers can create a layout that opti- mizes both electri- cal and mechanical aspects. Despite the challenges that arise— such as space limitations or mechanical feature interfer- ence—successful floor planning ultimately requires collaboration, attention to detail, and flexibility. As the design process evolves, trusting the process and adapting to changes are essential for creating effective PCB layouts. DESIGN007 Cory Grunwald is director of designer development, and Jeff Reinhold is president of Monsoon Solutions. J ef f Reinhold ▼ T h e st af f of M o n s o o n S o l u t i o n s t a ke s s o m e t i m e of f f ro m f l o o r p l a n n i n g to e n j oy a d ay o n P re s i d e nt J ef f Re i n h o l d 's s a i l b o at .