Lifecycle perspectives on product data management

Abstract

Implementing a new IT system often requires the enterprise to transform in order to maximally leverage the capabilities generated by the new system. The challenge in using IT as an enabler to change arises from the need to synergistically redesign processes, develop and implement a solution using internal talent and external suppliers, and establish adoption by users. Product Data Management (PDM) technology represents a substantial portion of large industry IT investment over the last decade. The ability to manage and deliver product data throughout the lifecycle has become increasingly important to the aerospace enterprise as products become more complex, cost and development cycles shorten, and customer, partner, and supplier relationships evolve. Currently, the aerospace community does not have capability to provide traceability from requirements and design through field maintenance. While initially an attempt to understand the application of PDM in product development, what emerged was a study in how PDM affects and enables lean enterprise transformation. The selection, development, and deployment of PDM solutions were studied in the aerospace industry in order to enable better implementation decisions in varying complex environments. Organizational, technical, and cultural factors were considered as they contribute to a PDM's effectiveness. .

(cont.) A current-state observation of nine aerospace company sites highlights the difficulty in reaching the technology's full potential to deliver customer value. Data show that PDMs are being used primarily to manage design engineering data and are not tightly integrated with other business systems. The data also show a distinct difference between prime and supplier companies' spending on and capability of their respective data management systems. While the value of PDM to product development includes better data quality, traceability and transparency, value to the enterprise is also found beyond the traditional role of PDM. Looking horizontally across the lifecycle and vertically through the hierarchical relationships, PDM provides opportunities for organizational and process change and stakeholder involvement, both important tenets for evolving into a lean enterprise. This conclusion is supported by both the site interviews and the two case studies