The most recent meeting, hosted by EPFL in Lausanne in January 2007, addressed the Research Challenge facing PLM, and discussed how to build on the research possibilities raised by the PLMIG Reference Models. Current priorities for PLM research are:- An agreed PLM Research Vision A comprehensive PLM Roadmap Review and Categorisation of existing PLM research The full Summary Document from the Lausanne meeting, covering the current state of PLM research, and the role of research in future PLM, is available on request.

There is such a variety of research that could be classed as 'PLM' that no coherent picture exists of what is happening.   There is certainly no body of research that will raise the standard of PLM as a whole in 10 or 15 years' time, and there will never be one unless a PLM Research Vision can be generated.

It has also become clear that the aim of lobbying funding organisations to offer "PLM-friendly" Calls is unlikely to have any significant effect, so PLM research proposals must continue to be constructed to match the funding that currently exists.

All of this needs coordination, and cooperation amongst active researchers.  PLM is a global subject, and funding sources could be applied for anywhere in the world.  It needs a global discussion about what PLM research is, and what value it can have for industrial sponsors.