How to Create a BOQ and Group It into a BOM in CrmLeaf
All editions. Requires the Manufacture add-on module to be enabled for your account by an Administrator. Standard in the Manufacturing CRM edition, and also used by the Solar CRM and Construction CRM editions,…
Availability: All editions. Requires the Manufacture add-on module to be enabled for your account by an Administrator. Standard in the Manufacturing CRM edition, and also used by the Solar CRM and Construction CRM editions, where the same screens are labelled with that edition's terminology.
Overview
A BOQ (bill of quantities) records the materials and quantities a project needs. The BOM (bill of materials) is the same demand grouped into component-level material specifications. Together they are the planning input for production, for material requisitions drawn from stock and for the requests for quotation you send to vendors.
How It Works
The BOQ belongs to a project. You add BOQ items for the materials the project consumes, and CrmLeaf groups those items into the project's BOM. Both documents can be downloaded, and both feed forward: the BOQ is the source for generating vendor quotes in bulk, and BOQ quantities are what requisition reconciliation and milestone invoicing report against.
Create project → Add BOQ items → Group into BOM → Download or hand off → Requisition or procure
- BOQ items are entered against the project, so demand is always attributable to a project.
- The BOM is derived by grouping the BOQ, so it stays consistent with the quantities you planned.
- The BOQ is the starting point for the RFQ flow, where quotes are generated from it across several vendors at once.
- Consumed and returned material quantities from requisitions are reconciled back against the BOQ.
- Where the Manufacture module is enabled, milestone invoicing shows BOQ utilisation as planned, used and remaining.
Who Can Use This Feature?
User
- Create and update the BOQ items on a project you have access to.
- View and download the project's BOM and BOQ.
- Use the BOQ as the source for vendor quote generation.
Access depends on the modules and role assigned by your Administrator.
Prerequisites
- The Manufacture add-on module enabled for the account.
- An existing project to attach the BOQ to.
- The materials you will list present in the products catalogue, with their units and tax rates.
For Users
Step 1: Open the project
Open the project the materials are planned for. The BOQ is held against this project, so make sure it is the correct one before entering quantities.
Step 2: Add the BOQ items
What to do: Open the project's BOQ and Add one line per material, selecting the product and entering the quantity required. Repeat until the full material demand of the project is listed, then Save.
What to verify: Every material the project consumes appears once, with the quantity you intend to buy or issue.
Step 3: Review the grouped BOM
What to do: Open the project's BOM. It is grouped from the BOQ items, so review it to confirm the component-level view matches what you planned.
What to verify: Quantities in the BOM reconcile with the BOQ lines you entered. If they do not, correct the BOQ rather than the BOM, because the BOM is derived from it.
Step 4: Download the BOQ or BOM
What to do: Use Download to take a copy of the BOQ or BOM for internal review, for a customer pack or for a vendor discussion held outside CrmLeaf.
What to verify: The downloaded document contains all lines and quantities.
Step 5: Hand the BOQ to procurement or production
What to do: Use the BOQ to generate vendor quotes in bulk for the materials you need to buy, and raise material requisitions for the materials you will draw from your own stock.
What to verify: Every BOQ line is either covered by a requisition from stock or included in an RFQ to a vendor.
Field and Option Reference
| Field / Option | Description | Required |
|---|---|---|
| Project | The project the BOQ belongs to. All BOQ items are recorded against it. | Yes |
| Product | The material or component being planned, selected from the products catalogue. | Yes |
| Quantity | How much of the material the project requires. Used for grouping into the BOM and for utilisation reporting. | Yes |
Expected Result
The project holds a complete BOQ, the BOM is grouped from those items, and both can be downloaded. The BOQ is now available as the source for vendor quote generation and for material requisitions.
Important Notes
- Menu names and their position can differ between product editions and can be customised for your account, so your sidebar may not match these paths exactly. Use Search or your Quick Access items if you cannot find a screen.
- This feature depends on the Manufacture add-on module. Confirm it is included in your plan before you rely on BOQ and BOM screens.
- The same screens are labelled with vertical terminology. In the Solar CRM and Construction CRM editions the BOQ and BOM are presented under that edition's wording.
- Because the BOM is grouped from the BOQ, the BOQ is the record you maintain. Keep it accurate as the plan changes.
Common Scenarios
Example: a fabrication order for 40 assemblies. The planner opens the project, lists each plate, fastener and consumable as a BOQ line with the total quantity for 40 units, and reviews the grouped BOM. Materials already in stock are requisitioned; the rest are sent out as an RFQ generated from the same BOQ.
Troubleshooting
| Issue | Possible Cause | Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| BOQ and BOM screens are not visible on the project | The Manufacture add-on module is not enabled, or your role has no access to it | Ask your Administrator to enable the module and grant your role access. |
| A material cannot be selected on a BOQ line | The item does not exist in the products catalogue | Add the product to the catalogue first, then return to the BOQ. |
| The BOM does not show an expected component | The component has no BOQ line | Add the missing BOQ item. The BOM only contains what the BOQ lists. |
| BOQ utilisation on a milestone invoice looks incomplete | Material was consumed without an approved requisition against the project | Record and approve the requisition so the consumption is reconciled to the BOQ. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the BOQ and the BOM?
The BOQ is the project's bill of quantities, entered as items. The BOM is the component-level bill of materials grouped from those BOQ items.
Can I edit the BOM directly?
The BOM is grouped from the BOQ, so maintain the BOQ items and let the BOM follow.
Can one BOQ feed several vendors?
Yes. Vendor quotes can be generated from a project's BOQ in bulk across multiple vendors.
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