Planning guide · Published by Atlantis NDT
Surface or volumetric NDT? Build the question before selecting a method
A beginner-friendly decision brief for material, discontinuity, geometry and access, with clear limits on method selection.
Start with the decision you need to make
Begin with what needs to be learned about the component. Surface condition, a suspected internal discontinuity and remaining wall thickness are different inspection questions. Material properties, geometry and access narrow the options, while the governing requirements establish what is permitted and how results are judged. Use this guide to assemble the facts for a technical discussion. It deliberately does not select a production technique or provide acceptance criteria from a few form answers.
What to check and why it matters
| Decision area | Evidence to prepare | Question to resolve |
|---|---|---|
| Condition of interest | Describe where the suspected condition may occur and why it is being investigated. Keep a maintenance observation separate from a confirmed discontinuity. | Is the question about a visible feature, surface-breaking condition, internal indication or thickness? |
| Material and geometry | Supply the material identification, product form and drawings where available. Curvature, joints, coatings and restricted surfaces can change what an examination establishes. | Which material facts are confirmed and which are assumptions? |
| Required decision | Identify who needs the result and what governing document applies. Detecting an indication and deciding whether it is acceptable are separate tasks. | What will the responsible reviewer need in order to interpret the report? |
Illustrative example · Not a customer case study
Apply the questions to a real-world situation
Hypothetical discussion: a maintenance team requests “ultrasonic testing” after seeing a surface mark. Before arranging work, the planner records the material, accessible faces, component drawing and the reason for concern. The technical reviewer can then consider the intended examination rather than assume the requested method answers the question. The final scope records any limitation so “no indication reported” is not misread as proof of absence everywhere.
Prepare your working brief
Capture what is known and name the unresolved questions. You can use the worksheet without registering or sending information to Atlantis.
- Inspection question
- Describe the condition to investigate using observations rather than a diagnosis.
- Material evidence
- List material records and any uncertainties.
- Geometry and access
- Identify available drawings, coatings and accessible surfaces.
- Governing requirement
- Record the specified document and who confirms the applicable edition.
- Result use
- Explain what decision the report is intended to support.
When you need project-specific support
Build foundational understanding through NDT method training. Confirm the current deliverables and fit for your requirement with the Atlantis team.
Discuss application-specific questions through NDT procedure development. Confirm the current deliverables and fit for your requirement with the Atlantis team.
For a US enquiry, include the project state and time zone, the responsible employer or owner, and the documents governing the work. For other countries, include the relevant recognition or customer requirements. Delivery and availability are confirmed for the engagement.
Ask about NDT trainingScope and further reading
The worksheet gathers information; it does not determine technique suitability, coverage or acceptance. Obtain review under the applicable procedure.
Continue with the detailed companion guide, Documenting Method Limitations So Stakeholders Ask Better Inspection Questions, for a related evidence-handling workflow and its source references. The planning suggestions here are original discussion aids, not approved procedures or reproductions of standards.
Browse every guide in this resource library →