Modular design without PLM in place

When any product is developed, how fast it shall reach the market, how well it will fit into customer’s expectations; all depend on one critical part of the product development process, and that is a proper product architecture planned at the very early stage of the development.

It is an appropriate product architecture only which enables adoption of modular methodology. And because of modular approach only we could think of mass customization or configure to order. Modular methodology can bring significant advantages to the organization if it is not confined to engineering department only. As in traditional approach modular methodology includes reuse of existing components and manufacturing process only and thus bringing tangible benefits, which warrants for easy adoption of this seemingly advantageous though limited approach.

Why I am saying limited approach? As from the definition of innovation, innovation is anything, happening anywhere, anytime, in any approach which adds value to anything that is of any importance to any organization, society or ecosystem. We can’t and should not confine innovation to functional value addition or financial value addition. Similarly scope of modular approach should reach every area of the product life cycle.

But now you would be wondering, how modular approach could be this much immense. If we are able to optimize each re-utilization of existing component or process from every stage of product lifecycle, then only we could succeed in implementing a thorough modular approach.

Here you should be able to contradict by saying “easy said than done”.

Yes, I second you on this. Then what is the challenge? While modular approach was confined to engineering, it was challenging by the amount of size of the engineering team. Which was still manageable. But when we wish a more holistic modular approach. Things may fall apart in the absence of a collaboration tool. Now don’t you think we have got only one tool which can ensure collaboration among various departments during complete lifecycle of the product. Yes you got it right. I am hinting towards PLM only.

So once again my favorite quote, “It’s not PLM tool which will be installed and your organization will become a pious temple of modularity”.

It is only PLM champions who need to take onus of rigorous planning/scoping and then aligned implementation to ensure that everything falls in place.

Hence modular design modular holistic approach is achievable more easily and with solidarity if PLM system is in place.

It’s my perception, you please share yours.