Debunking PLM Difficulty: The 4 Keys To Unlock PLM Potential
TriStar CAD & PLM Solutions
TriStar | Customer-Centric CAD & PLM Solutions
Implementing product lifecycle management (PLM) systems has become essential for driving enhanced operations, collaboration, and innovation. Successfully navigating the complexities of PLM implementation can unlock substantial benefits. Yet despite its potential to revolutionize product development and data management processes, many organizations face significant challenges during PLM implementation. Too often, effective deployment hinges on understanding the multifaceted nature of PLM, making the necessary organizational changes to capitalize on it, and giving your key PLM resource enough time to do it.
Key #1: Understand the breadth of PLM capabilities
PLM is far more than a data management repository. It encompasses a wide range of functionalities spanning the entire product lifecycle. At its core, PLM includes critical capabilities such as computer-aided design (CAD) data management, enterprise document management, configuration management, bill of materials (BOM) management, enterprise change management, project management, and workflow automation.
These fundamental features allow organizations to manage product data, streamline processes, and improve collaboration across different departments. However, the breadth of PLM stretches beyond these core functionalities.
Extended PLM capabilities include xBOM management for handling various types of bills of materials, variant management to deal with product variations, supplier management and collaboration tools, quality management systems (QMS), and project execution features. Modern PLM systems often integrate with other product areas such as application lifecycle management (ALM), model-based systems engineering (MBSE), and Internet of Things (IoT) platforms.
To fully harness PLM’s potential, companies must understand configuration and change management principles for correlating all product data, managing data maturity through lifecycle states within PLM, and ensuring closed-loop quality enterprise change management. This involves adopting best practices that comply with industry-proven standards like CMII while changing your data and processes to align with these practices for effective PLM implementation.
Key #2: Determine the enterprise application footprint
The biggest obstacle organizations face in implementing PLM is the complex, disparate application landscape. Thus, efficient data management and process integration first requires determining which tools should own what data and processes as well as how these tools should be connected or integrated.
The enterprise application ecosystem may include a range of solutions, such as:
One of the key hurdles in defining the application footprint is addressing the overlapping functions between different enterprise systems — particularly among PLM and other applications like ERP, MES, and QMS. For instance, when you’re considering PLM and ERP integration, it’s crucial to differentiate their roles and identify areas where they can complement each other. A strategic approach may involve deriving manufacturing BOMs and routes within the PLM system and then pushing this information to the ERP system , leveraging the strengths of both platforms. Even if both applications have similar functionality, additional items such as upfront collaboration between engineering and manufacturing or performing more automated, comprehensive impact analysis during a change should be included to determine the optimal strategy.
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Key #3: Identify the source of ROI
Evaluating your PLM investments is imperative for justifying the time and resources required. The return on investment (ROI) of PLM is multifaceted and extends beyond simple cost reduction.
One primary source of ROI is the enhancement of collaboration across different departments — and even geographical locations. By providing a centralized platform for product data and processes, PLM significantly reduces time to market, allowing companies to respond more quickly to market demands. This improved efficiency often translates into tangible cost savings and increased revenue opportunities.
Another source of ROI lies in PLM’s impact on product quality and cost efficiency. By managing complex product data and processes more effectively, PLM helps organizations reduce errors, minimize rework, and optimize resource allocation. The ability to make data-driven decisions throughout the product lifecycle also leads to more cost-effective design choices and manufacturing processes.
When evaluating PLM investments, consider both the direct cost savings and long-term strategic benefits, such as improved innovation capability and increased market agility, which can provide a sustained competitive advantage.
Key #4: Make the necessary organizational changes
PLM implementation is more than technology deployment. It requires organizational changes to make the most of its capabilities. The first step is assessing the company’s current-state maturity level for PLM adoption and developing a clear vision of the desired future state . This gap analysis forms the foundation for a comprehensive strategy to bridge the divide, addressing not only technological aspects but also processes, skills, and cultural elements.
A critical component of this strategy is developing a PLM organizational structure with a well-defined charter. This structure should outline roles, responsibilities, and decision-making processes related to PLM, ensuring all team members have the appropriate level of knowledge for their roles through proper training and mentoring.
Implementing PLM also involves moving from a reactive to a proactive culture, where continuous improvement and collaboration become the norm. Companies must align their organizational goals with PLM capabilities to drive innovation and mitigate resistance to change.
The streamlined approach to PLM implementation
Overcoming the challenges of PLM implementation comes down to understanding PLM’s capabilities, determining the application footprint, identifying clear ROI sources, and making organizational changes. Addressing these key areas will result in a more successful implementation and the benefits that come with it, including enhanced collaboration and efficiency, reduced time to market, and improved product quality.
Request a PLM assessment at TriStar.com/plm-assessment and see what TriStar can do for you.