Factory acceptance testing
FAT checklist template
A useful FAT checklist tells the tester what to do, the witness what to look for, and the owner what was actually accepted. Start with the equipment and agreed requirements, then turn each requirement into a check you can repeat.
Download the Excel templateMake each check testable
Organise the plan by equipment area and test package so the team can find a check without searching across files. Before the test, agree the procedure and the expected result with the people reviewing it.
- Identify the item
Record an item ID, equipment tag and a reference to the relevant drawing or requirement revision.
- Define the method
Describe the starting conditions, actions and expected response. Replace vague instructions such as ‘check alarm’ with an observable result.
- Record the outcome
Keep the result, tester, witness, comments and supporting evidence with the same test item. Explain a blocked or not-applicable check.
Adapt the Excel workbook before use
The downloadable workbook includes project information, area and package definitions, test sheets, attendance and report notes. It contains demonstration content. Replace the example project details and checks with your own scope, tags, procedures and acceptance criteria before using it on a real project. Keep identifiers consistent if you later import the workbook into Kalman FAT Suite.
Plan what happens when a check fails
A failed result needs a follow-up action: describe the finding, identify the responsible party and state what evidence or retest will close it. Keep unresolved items visible when reviewing the test phase. Agree which checks remain for site acceptance testing and why; a completed spreadsheet alone does not decide whether equipment is ready for release.