Steve,
I'd be glad to discuss this further in the office tomorrow, but our ISO procedures have provisions for doing prototypes with little proceduralization/documentation. It puts the onus on Engineering to do their "homework" before the build starts. It does not mean go buy parts and dump it to production but our system is very liberal in that a sketch with an engineering signature stamped PROTOTYPE is adequate. You can even bypass receiving inspection by invoking the PROTOTYPE purchasing note code....and do "fit checks" as you build. Doesn't get a lot more basic than that. However, those complaining about a lack of travelers/work instructions/whatever are only looking for an excuse not to build. IMHO - they lack the drive to turn prototypes quickly.
Regards,
Mike Sewell
QA Manager
LaBarge inc.