For each connection, name the component that drives each signal and the monitor that observes it. Firmware-driven CPU traffic often needs passive observation; an absent external device may still be emulated by an active agent in a chip environment. Reuse the observation contract, not an automatic block/chip role rule.
VIP reuse across levels requires parameterization and configuration, not just instantiation.
Scoreboard at block level may not exist at chip level — plan for this.
VIP error messages are evidence, not root cause.
Trace applicable spec clauses to all required evidence; VIP checks are one possible source.